Strictly Come Dancing / Alan Dudman / 08 December 2011 /

Harry's the hot favourite but Healey is a live contender, says Alan Dudman, ahead of a weekend when five become three

The markets are looking fairly tough ahead of this weekend's semi-finals, with a myriad of new betting options available, including the Two to Go and the Two to Go Combo meaning, unsurprisingly perhaps, that two are set to go.

Firstly, Harry Judd is a clear-cut favourite and trades at [1.47] to win. I think he's too short, but I have avoided getting involved with the McFly man in that market for the whole series - so now is not the time. I advised backing him in the top male odds three weeks ago at [1.63], and that's now [1.12]. I was against Jason ante-post at [2.86] and have thrown my lot in with Chelsee Healeyfor glory at [5.5]. She now trades a point shorter, and I still think she is slightly overpriced. For me, Healey is a natural at this, and has improved in each and every show.

Holly Valance meanwhile has overtaken Alex Jones as the dark horse, and struck last weekend with a brilliant 38 point paso, finally showing some passion and aggression. Jason meanwhile was in the bottom two. He didn't deserve it, his dance was a decent one.

However, Chelsee was the star turn, 39 points collected for the jive cemented her position as one of the pack leaders, but can she crack Harry?

The stakes and standards are high now, with the final next weekend in Blackpool. The celebs have two dances each this Saturday in what promises to be a deluxe episode.

Judd will be dancing the Viennese Waltz and Charleston this Saturday. His ballroom is very precise and accurate, and the former should look to net 38 points considering his standards. His holds are very good, and again he'll use the fleckle - much to Len's delight.

His second is the Charleston, the one that the crowds and judges love. There's lots of humour in this bop, something we haven't seen much from Harry. He is almost top drawer, and might be around [1.9] for highest scorer.

Chelsee's two this Saturday are the American Smooth and Paso Doble, and she's on fire. Her ballroom will feature a wonderful lift at the start, and her arms are fantastic. She has a real partnership with her professional Pasha, something that was key in Kara winning last year. Holly hit 38 points for her Paso last weekend, but Chelsee is a better dancer and anything around [3.0] should be snapped up again for top marks. She is hugely likeable, and will sure to make the final. If shorties are your thing, she is [1.16] for top female.

Alex has taken a step back, but she's going to do well in her ballroom with the Waltz, but might struggle with her Salsa. It's a notoriously tough one (the salsa) and ladies struggle to get the smoothness for the Latin.

Meanwhile Jason has learned his Argentine Tango in one day, and is flying through practice, but he might have a problem with the Samba, a dance in which Harry struggled early in the series. Although he was in the bottom two last Saturday, his dancing has been very consistent to a high standard.

His Aussie soapster pal is still fighting though, and Holly could pull off a surprise with her two dances - the Argentine Tango and Charleston. Her Tango might be the better one, as she has the legs for this, nice and tall, long and elegant. That routine is all in the pins, whilst Charleston as we all know, is the fun dance that made Chris Hollins into a winner. Her partner Artem also produces the best choreography on the show and they are still alive in this.

Recommended Bets
Two to go combo: Back Alex and Jason @ [4.0]
Two to go combo: Lay Alex and Holly @ [2.2]
Lay Harry in highest scorer @ [1.9]
Back Chelsee top score @ [3.0]

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