Emmy Awards 2016: Game of Thrones in record-breaking triumph

Emmy Awards 2016: Who will win?

14 September

It may be five months until the Oscars, but another of the 'big three' US entertainment awards shows takes place this week. The 68th annual Emmy Awards this Sunday will mark the best in television.

The Emmys are usually easier to predict than the Golden Globes or Oscars, says Vanity Fair – but not this year. New voting rules might mean new winners, rather than the usual repeat-offenders, the magazine says.

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There are some familiar names in the mix, however, including Game Of Thrones for Outstanding Drama, and eight other awards. Whether it sweeps up or not, the fantasy series has now won more Emmys than any other TV show, thanks to technical wins at the Creative Arts Emmys last weekend.

Veep, the political comedy created by Britain's Armando Iannucci, is also likely to repeat its previous Emmy success in some measure, says Vanity Fair.

Here are some of the names tipped for success in the six biggest categories:

Outstanding Drama

Game of Thrones is bookmaker William Hill's favourite, with odds of 1/3 – but hacker conspiracy series Mr Robot is a promising challenger at 10/3. Mr Robot is the only newcomer to the Emmys, says IndieWire, which could mean it is about to confound predictions and displace GoT. Other nominated shows are The Americans, Better Call Saul, Downton Abbey, Homeland and House of Cards.

Outstanding Comedy

As last year's victor, ending a five-year winning streak by Modern Family, Veep is the favourite. For IndieWire it would be "tough" for any show to beat Iannucci's clever satire about a female US president. Other nominees are Black-ish, Master of None, Modern Family, Silicon Valley, Transparent and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.

Outstanding Limited Series

The award for the best mini-series is a two-horse race, says IndieWire – it's either Fargo or The People v OJ Simpson. American Crime, Roots and The Night Manager don't have a look-in, says the site.

Lead Actress in a Drama

Viola Davis, Vanity Fair's tip for this category, is the only nominee likely to get an Oscar nomination this year, for her work on Denzel Washington's Fences. Her TV work on How To Get Away With Murder is equally transcendent, says the magazine. To win, Davis will have to beat Emmy stalwarts Claire Danes and Robin Wright. Also nominated are Keri Russell, Tatiana Maslany and Taraji P Henson.

Lead Actor in a Drama

According to Vanity Fair, Rami Malek is the likely winner of this category. His "wide-eyed... twitch, dark work" on Mr Robot was stronger in the first season than the second but that may not deter voters. And Malek's is a "showstopping" lead performance. Americans star Matthew Rhys might just pip Malek to the post, however. Also nominated are Kyle Chandler, Bob Odenkirk, Liev Schreiber and Kevin Spacey.

Lead Actor in a Comedy

According to Brian Moylan in The Guardian, Jeffrey Tambor has "his second Emmy win all tied up" for playing a transgender woman in Amazon's breakout Transparent. His colleague Dave Schilling thinks Will Forte is in with a chance for sci-fi comedy The Last Man on Earth. Also nominated are Aziz Ansari, Anthony Anderson, Thomas Middleditch and William H Macy.

Lead Actress in a Comedy

Julia Louis-Dreyfus is the big beast in this category – and William Hill's favourite at 2/1. According to Moylan she "certainly will" win the award for the fifth year in a row for her portrayal of self-serving Selina Meyer in Veep. Despite being "everywhere" just now, says Schilling, Amy Schumer has not taken an acting Emmy for her sketch show yet – and this could be her year. Also nominated are Ellie Kemper, Laurie Metcalf, Tracee Ellis Ross and Lily Tomlin.