The phrase "perceived frontrunner" means that someone or something is thought to be in the lead or ahead of others, but it may not necessarily be true or confirmed. Full definition
Well, it happened; Alejandro G. Iñárritu has won the Directors Guild of America award for Best Director of 2014 for Birdman, besting perceived frontrunner Richard Linklater for Boyhood. (awardswatch.com)
Sometimes though, especially in Oscar predicting, seeing is believing and perceived frontrunners on paper either solidify that position of vacate it after mediocre reviews. (awardswatch.com)
Sherlock managed some big wins at the Creative Arts Emmys last week and then even bigger ones tonight in Writing over both Fargo and The Normal Heart (which went in as the frontrunner), Lead Actor (Benedict Cumberbatch), who bested Billy Bob Thornton and Martin Freeman in Fargo and perceived frontrunner Mark Ruffalo for The Normal Heart. (awardswatch.com)