Strictly Come Dancing Betting: Not so great Scott

Strictly Come Dancing / Alan Dudman / 02 December 2010 / 4

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The tango will suit Kara Tointon

"Scott Maslen is a great dancer, but he is making too many mistakes and the public notice that. His price of [4.9] for top score this week is one to avoid, but too big to lay. His price for exit [18.0] could be interesting, as he's been in the bottom two before."

Alan Dudman thinks one of the show's principal contestants could be in a spot of bother this week

The Manic Street Preachers (or the Manics as more cooler cats prefer to call them) will be performing live on this Sunday's results show on BBC1, and quite apt considering some of their material. Could they sing their old hit 'Everything Must Go'? Or perhaps their new single 'Some Kind Of Nothingness'? Gavin Henson is this week's rubbish and is hot favourite to get the boot at [1.56]. And he has plenty of nothingness.

I wanted him to go out ages ago, and he's been lucky to get this far. Once again his survival has highlighted the appalling new system of scrapping the dance-off. This made the elimination a dance-based exit and thus easier to read the market, this series and with the revamped format (which hasn't worked) has made it a complete guessing game.

Former judge Arlene Phillips has criticised the standard of dancing this week, suggesting SCD has gone a bit flat. I agree with some of that, as Henson would never have survived this far if he was in previous competitions. However, the level of performance of the top three in the market: Matt [2.08], Kara [4.9] and Scott [5.8] has been strong, if slightly over-marked.

I have also had my weekly fix of 'choreography corner' with the delightful Karen Hardy. She pinpointed the dancers making too many mistakes at this stage, and now is the time for a potential dark horse to come to prominence. Hardy mentioned on ITT on Wednesday that this period is when the front runner can fade, and I think that could be Scott Maslen.

Arlene for one feels that Scott has been marked too highly. Some of his earlier dances were excellent, in particular the solo rendition of the Jive. However, two really poor dances of the Rumba and Samba have highlighted a lack of adapting to other techniques, whilst last week's American Smooth was all over the place. Scott is a great dancer, but he is making too many mistakes and the public notice that. His price of [4.9] for top score this week is one to avoid, but too big to lay. His price for exit [18.0] could be interesting, as he's been in the bottom two before.

Pamela Stephenson nailed top score last weekend with a cracking Charleston. And despite looking like Mickey Rourke in 'The Wrestler' (her words), she has a change of pace with the Viennese Waltz. This dance is one of my favourites, with loads of turns and a touch of delicacy. Pam is a short [3.75] for top marks.

Kara Tointon had the tricky Jive last weekend, and was slightly out of time. Something wasn't quite right last Saturday, and I think Artem's neck injury was causing problems. They usually go for the daring, but opted for a safe routine. If
he is fit, they have the magic formula. Kara has the Tango which suits her much better. Remember her Paso which got 37? They showed all the drama and passion needed, and I want loads of pow-pow kicks and steaminess. I think I can get it
with this dance, and she should be backed to get top marks.

Matt Baker has the Jive, which I can never get right. However the viewers obviously love him, and his American Smooth last week was harshly dealt with by the judges. He's got great feet, even though he's combining about a dozen jobs
at the moment! Matt is [3.0] for top score, but Kara looks a better bet.

Gavin will be happier to be back in hold with the Foxtrot, but I am fed up with him now. It appears Craig is too with his marks of '4' and '3' in recent weeks. The rugby star said this week: "I can relate to this week's song'. I wonder if it is 'Being Boring' by the Pet Shop Boys?

Suggested bets for week nine:
Back Kara top score @ [3.0]
Back Scott Maslen for elimination @ [18.0]

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Anonymous | 02 December 2010

Matt Baker's has been treated very harshly by the judges. The marks were ridiculous last week. He and Aliona gave an innovative dance that should have been marked much higher. The judges are virtulaly sending out a message to play safe and do uninspiring routes - hence Pam at the top of the leader board. Both Kara and Scott are always over marked. The BBC sure want to keep in their soap fav's. The over the top way the BBC highlighted Artem's neck issue (Jane Austin couldnt have done better) ensured Kara and Artem got a lot more fans. Talk about milking a situation. Yet Matt and Aliona were made to look like fools with their VT. The BBC showed them saying they got on with each other only for the BBC to show clisp which implied they didnt. Rather shameful tactics from the BBC. It feels like the BBC are willing to sacrifice Matt for their soap stars to win.
The Kitten | 02 December 2010

I see Ann Widdecombe is now doing the SCD tour - a late entry.

Read into that what you will ;)

I also think Scott is toast this week.
sally | 03 December 2010

@anonymous....oh please, as usual Matt fans whinging and moaning. For goodness sake he's the favourite to win by the bookies, it takes two has turned into the Matt and Aliona show and the bbc have gone out of their way to give him more publicity than any other celebrity except Ann.....and you guys are STILL complaining!!!...I find Matt uncomfortable to watch, his dancing is overwrought and forced and not at all natural. I hope he goes out in a shock exit just to shut up his overzealous fans!!!
Nicola | 05 December 2010

Sally, I find your comments uncomfortable to read, Matt is a good dancer and should make the final and also if you are listening BBC, give him The One Show job. Go Matt.