International R&B superstar Usher is set to take the stage at the Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show presented by Apple Music. Each year, sportsbooks like FanDuel put out fun odds leading up to the Super Bowl about some of the iconic happenings off the field – like the Halftime Show.
Sportsbook Review laid out a few odds they’re keen on for Usher’s performance. Some of the current odds to bet on include number of songs performed, if there’s a special guest performing alongside Usher and what the first song will be.
Check out the current odds, courtesy of FanDuel, and what bets I like leading up to the show.
Number of Songs Performed During the Halftime Show: O/U 8.5
| Line | Over | Under |
| 8.5 | (-125) | (-125) |
In order for a song to be “performed,” it has to be played for at least 10 seconds. A prime example of this includes The Weeknd’s “After Hours” playing in transition from “The Hills” before he sings “Can’t Feel My Face.” With the amount of hits Usher has and this stipulation, I think it makes sense that this over will hit.
The last time a halftime show performer hit the under 8.5 songs was Lady Gaga’s 2017 Super Bowl halftime setlist that only featured seven songs. In the past two years, the number of songs performed reached 11 (Dr. Dre and company with 11 songs amongst the talent, and 11 songs from Rihanna’s 2023 show.)
To Be a Special Guest Performer
| Guest Alicia Keys Lil Jon Ludacris Sean Diddy Nicki Minaj Marshmello Pitbull will.i.am Lil Wayne David Guetta 21 Savage Justin Bieber DJ Khaled Jay Z Beyonce Taylor Swift 50 Cent Miley Cyrus Madonna | Odds (via FanDuel) (-320) (+160) (+175) (+240) (+300) (+340) (+430) (+430) (+550) (+650) (+750) (+750) (+1000) (+1100) (+1400) (+1600) (+1800) (+1800) (+2300) |
Considering the last four do not have a song with Usher, it’s very doubtful they’ll make an appearance (onstage, at least) for the performance. As stipulated by FanDuel, a performer counts as someone who appears onstage with a microphone, leaving out David Guetta and Marshmello from potential bets.
I’d agree with Sportsbook Review and say that the best options for potential special guests are Lil Jon, Ludacris and Pitbull. The songs in which these performers are featured are more than likely on the setlist and warrant the idea of being a special guest. It’s important to note, however, that the two previous solo performers didn’t have any guests in their halftime show.
First Song Odds
| Song Love in This Club OMG Yeah! My Way DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love Good Good Boyfriend Burn Superstar GLU | Odds (via FanDuel) (+300) (+300) (+500) (+500) (+500) (+1000) (+1000) (+1000) (+1000) (+1200) |
By the looks of it, there isn’t one highly regarded song that Usher could start with in his performance. I think one of the top 5 is more than likely going to be it, but even moreso a song that almost everyone knows – like “Yeah!”
I also have a vision that Usher’s performance opens in the dark with some neon strobe-like lights and you hear the autotune iconic “oh my gosh, baby let me, I did it again so Imma let the beat drop,” I love the idea of his performance kicking off with “OMG” if he ends with “Yeah!”
Check out First & Jenn for more content leading up to the Super Bowl on February 11, 2024.
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