Tha Norf Alliance
The army of the dead bears down on the North. Betting on their deaths might be your best hope on a good return.
Jon Snow looks to be a risky proposition. He’s a leader who fights from the frontlines. Whether it be through skill or plot armour, he seems to be able to survive obscene odds to come back for more. His self-sacrificial streak could lead to an untimely death.
I’ve been predicting Davos’ imminent demise since Season 2 and yet here we are, in the end game, with Davos still walking! Would you align your luck with his or will you look at his placement in the most dangerous region in the world about to be hit by an unstoppable army?
Poor Wolkan. He thought Ramsay Bolton was the worst thing you could meet in the North. Now he gets to watch the army of the dead close in on him. Wolkan better stay hidden away lest he have to use that chain of his to strangle the breathless.
Sansa has become a pro at political theatre thanks to tutelage from some of the most devious villains in Westeros. Whilst these skills are important, the Night King and the dead cannot be reasoned with. If Sansa wants to live, she needs to avoid the action and stick to what she knows best.
Never has Valyrian steel been more valuable than now. Yet having Oathkeeper by her side is no guarantee Brienne can vanquish all opponents. Even should she survive the early battles her strength will be needed until the bitter end.
Poor Pod is in a tough position. He has the will to fight but lacks the skill. Even after two seasons of training he still struggles against basic opponents. His best hope of survival is to stand behind Brienne and hope that she takes on the army of the dead single handed.
Arya has become a lethal assassin in a world where those skills are much in demand. As Arya has become a greater threat, so has the opponents she may face. Killing the Freys is a lot easier that killing the Night King.
When you get down to it, Bran is one of the most powerful characters left in the series. Warging skills and greensight are devastating tools when placed in the right hand. If he were to use those tools properly he could turn almost any situation to his advantage and yet his lack of action may lead to his death.
Lyanna Mormont might talk the talk but we have yet to see if she can walk the walk. As fierce as she may be there’s only so much a child can do against the White Walkers. She would be much safer on Bear Island, but will be probably be part of the Siege of Winterfell albeit in the backlines. A dangerous bet.
He’s not the brightest tool in the shed and I don’t have any faith in his fighting prowess. If Robett Glover manages to survive the long night it’ll be by following orders and staying away from the frontlines.
We haven’t heard any news of him since Sansa left the Vale. Maybe, just maybe, spending some time with the Knights of the Vale instead of his overly protective mother might have led to Robin becoming a little more battle-ready. Whilst he has control of one of Westeros’ strongest armies, it’s placed directly in harms way. For Robins sake he should stay up in the Eyrie.
Bronze Yohn may have a wealth of battle experience but he is also well beyond his peak. Luckily, he is unlikely to be placed in the front lines. Just as well if he intends to stay north with the Starks.
King’s Landing Elites
Cersei is taking her last throw of the dice by depending on this lot. Will you do the same?
The lady everyone loves to hate is creeping closer to her own demise. Whilst Cersei may have a strong presence in King’s Landing her new allies have less loyalty than previous ones. Harry Strickland and Euron Greyjoy make poor replacements for Jamie Lannister and Randyll Tarly. As much of a threat as Daenerys may seem, Cersei is far more likely to be killed off by someone close to her.
Qyburn has stayed out of trouble since Robb and Talisa Stark saved him in season 3. Never once straying into harms way as his status and power has grown. His health and safety is tied entirely to Cersei Lannister however and should she fall he will be hanged for his crimes.
Some may argue that the Mountain is already dead. What remains of Gregor Clegane will surely perish before the spring arrives. There are too many powerful foes looking for his head and he is too stupid to avoid them.
I really hope Bronn survives and finally receives all the castles he has been promised. That seems unlikely as he is defending a Queen who will have him killed off the minute it suits her. He has chosen the wrong side and would do well to follow Jaime Lannister and sprint away from King’s Landing as fast as he can.
Euron has some of the worst odds for very good reasons. A lot of characters considered him an enemy and his reckless attitude places him in continual mortal danger. He serves a Queen who would sooner cut his throat and her own than accept his marriage proposal.
Not much is known about the head of the Golden Company outside of the books. As a late addition and a sellsword, Harry is in with a rough welcome to Westeros. When offered a better deal from the Dragon Queen, he may very well abandon Cersei if his word isn’t as good as gold.
The Last Krakens
It’s difficult to tell how their confrontation with Euron will go. It might be worth sinking some cash into these two if you don’t mind a little risk.
Yara is in a desperate situation. She must hope that Euron is so distracted that she is left alone as a prisoner. Theon is not exactly a brilliant rescuer but if he frees her, I can see Yara ending the series on a high.
Theon seems destined for a rematch with Euron. After his rise last season he very well may come out victorious. His quest keeps him far away from the war in the North. That bodes well for his survivability.
Essos Annoyances
You couldn’t get more polar opposite characters or betting odds than these two. Proceed with caution.
Many would say that Melisandre predicting her own death makes her unlikely to die, if her embarrassing predictions track record is to be considered. I don’t agree. She will surely perish before the long night is through. I hope Shireen chases her down in the afterlife.
The face of the Iron Bank may have bitten off more than he can chew with support of the crown. As long as he spends most of his time in Bravos, he should come out of this in one piece.
Who Are These Guys Again?
The odds on these odds and ends are likely to change dramatically as the season continues. Perhaps it’s better to hold onto your cash.
Jamie Fookin Lannister has left his lesser half and is heading northwards to assist the Starks. A massive risk considering his bad reputation in the North. Does this man have any plausible allies right now? He’s not even a good swordsman anymore!
The Hound has to face multiple top tier threats this season. If he manages to escape the army of the dead he must compete in Cleganebowl GET HYPED!!! Every dog has its day, but Sandhor’s may be numbered.
The Lightning Lord is a formidable fighter with a weapon perfectly suited for a war in the North. Beric Dondarrion believes the Lord of Light has kept him alive for a reason. I believe that reason is to sacrifice himself in a way that will save the world. He is unlikely to see summer again.
There’s a real chance that Edmure won’t even be shown this season and we will be left without answers about his fate. A part of me thinks we will see him again and that he will try to reunite with his niece and make his way to the final battle. Either that or he will sit things out in his precious stone mill.
Gendry can be seen in the trailer working hard on making weapons for the Stark forces. For Gendry’s sake I hope that means he isn’t part of the forces pitted first against the army of the dead. Even if he is, Gendry is a strong fighter and should be able to kit himself with the necessary weaponry to survive. If worst comes to the worst, he can make a run for it or row to safety. A longshot for the throne?
The Dragon Crew
It’ll be difficult to make money when betting on the Dany’s crew. Whilst her forces are powerful they are about to face tremendous external and internal pressure.
It would take balls of steel to kill Daenerys off and yet her odds speak for themselves. Betrayal, childbirth or her own heroism could all be Daenerys undoing. Political threats along with battling at the forefront leaves her open.
What precisely did Tyrion say to Cersei? He is plotting to backstab at least one of two Queens. His worried reaction to the relationship between Dany and Jon makes it look even more likely that his going to lodge his dagger in the Mother of Dragons. Tyrion could find himself microwaved by episode 3!
Varys seems unlikely to ever be involved in a fight. The Red Woman seems to believe he will face a grim fate. Whether it be through combat or a failure in politics I feel the Spider is much closer to death than many suspect.
Missandei has never even come close to death in all her seasons on the show. I expect her to be evacuated to Dragonstone at the first sign of trouble. Only bet on her death if you want to lose your money.
Grey Worm appeared prominently in the trailer as he was ‘fighting for love’. That kiss from Missandei might as well have been a Dornish kiss of death. Grey Worm is unlikely to survive the first few episodes never-mind the full series.
Do you think Qhono will survive? Hey, what do you mean “who’s Qhono”? Don’t you recognise the Dothraki Commander? If Daenerys has any sense, she will keep the Dothraki army in the south, harassing Cersei’s forces. Qhono and the gangs’ horses will be ineffective in the North with such snowy conditions. Mortal peril awaits Qhono in Winterfell.
It’d be very sad if Jorah the Explora survived greyscale only to lose out to a bunch of skeletons. I doubt he would mind though as he would perish protecting his Queen whilst offering a degree of restitution for his past crimes in the North. He better pray his Khaleesi protects him.
Remnants of the Nights Watch
Their odds are a mixed batch. This group has never looked weaker and yet they may still play a part in fighting the Night King.
Luckily, Edd was at the western side of the wall and was not close to the Night King’s assault. He should be safe as long as the Night King drives on south towards Winterfell. Should those forces turn on Edd, he will be wiped out along with the rest of the Nights Watch.
It was a miracle that Tormund survived the attack on Eastwatch. He is well equipped to fight any stray Wights that cross his path but he needs to find somewhere safe to hold up against the long night.
Sam’s studies should keep him out of harms way for now. For so long his intellect has been underrated but now more than ever they need his bookishness to find solutions for killing the Night King. Let us hope Sam is more of a nerd than a slayer, otherwise he will never get to grow old as the Lord of Horn Hill.
Gilly should stay far away from the frontlines studying ways in which the Night King can be defeated. Even Sam won’t be stupid enough to take her to Winterfell…I think.
One of the most likely people in Westeros to survive the upcoming apocalypse. There’s little chance the child will see action and even if he is taken by the army of the dead, Little Sam is more likely to be converted into a White Walker than killed.
Nice Ice Baby
It would take a cruel person to bet on the Night King living, but that’s the only way you’re making money here.
You won’t get great odds on the Night King dying as most see it as essential in completing the shows run. However, it may be worth putting some money on this cretin to survive. To quote everyone’s least favourite bastard, “If you think this has a happy ending, you haven’t been paying attention.” Who knows, the Night King may sit on the throne before things are through.
Whilst I do expect to see the Night King shattered into a million pieces there is always the outside possibility that he may be open to negotiation.
