Tonights dance off will probably be between Chris and Laila.
Chris is a slightly better dancer than Laila but spoils himself with those ludicrous facial expressions and his over enthusiasm which tends to make him go wild (eg stamping in Latin).Lots of fun though.
Laila is much more attractive and looks gorgeous on the dancefloor but seems to lack concentration and loses it sometimes when halfway through the dance.
Both have brought entertainment to the series but it's time for one to go.

That would be my worst scenario.

I'd be torn and whatever the result, I'd lose one of my favourite couples

I suspect they would be performing their Ballroom numbers in the dance-off and if that's the case, I'd give the slight edge to Laila based on previous form. But she could mess up under pressure.

Who knows!

I'm still hopeful/desperate that both go though on the public vote alone! I'd prefer to see more of them than Ricky or Ali (even if they are slightly better technically).

I actually think it's more likely to be Ricky vs Laila, with Ricky going. Both are dispensable to the programme but, I believe they would save Laila because Anton's ballroom is so good and I can't see Natalie choreographing a Foxtrot that can out "wow" an Anton American Smooth.

It would be extremely difficult for judges, if they mark couple A & B, 36 marks & 26 marks,

then in the dance-off to save couple B.
Last year if Tom had gone into the dance-off that never was, he would have been toast. Only an intimidating march by Tom's fans to Shepherds Bush brandishing torches and pitchforks could have saved him.

Laila supporters, get ready them torches and pitchforks.

So let's look at likely scenarios:

Chris 2 in judges 4 with public = 6
Leila 1 in judges 2 in public = 3
Ali 3 with judges 3 with public = 6
Ricky 4 with judges 1 with public = 5

Ricky vs Laila in dance off

Chris 1 in judges 4 with public = 5
Leila 2 in judges 2 in public = 4
Ali 4 with judges 3 with public = 7
Ricky 3 with judges 1 with public = 4

Ricky vs Laila in dance off

However

Chris 1 in judges 4 with public = 5
Leila 2 in judges 3 in public = 5
Ali 3 with judges 2 with public = 5
Ricky 4 with judges 1 with public = 5

Ricky vs Ali in dance off (Ali more lilkely to go even though more popular with the public than above)

The odds are on a Ricky (assuming he is bottom of the public vote) vs Laila (assuming she is 3rd or 4th with the judges) dance off.

Yes. Good summary!

100% agree - Ricky is likely to be bottom of the public vote so it will almost certainly be him vs Laila - a dance off which sadly Laila will lose.

Other scennarios could still happen e.g. Chris being in the dance off even if he wins the public vote by a landslide. But Ricky vs Laila is my bet for tonight - and will almost certainly happen if Chris beats her with the judges.

I don't think Chris will be in the DO, even if he is bottom of the judges leaderboard unless something really weird happens. Laila will be there and I guess I'd have to hope it was Ricky rather than Ali with her because it'll be a cold day in hell before they'd vote Ali off no matter how she danced.

With Laila vs Ricky scenario she still has a chance if her AS is really bang on. A slim chance mind.

I think they would choose Ali over Ricky. Even Craig takes time to mention her "injuries" when she's made mistakes and Alesha has said twice that she's the front runner.

I'm sorry to sound so cynical (and I would be more than happy to be proved wrong) but, the dancer going on the SCD tour vs the one who isn't. I think it's a no-brainer who they would save.

But the judges love the foxtrot. I am hoping Ricky does really well technically which will bump up his marks. Laila has trouble remembering one routine so maybe she will not be as good this week. It would be a shame if Ricky goes out at this stage and Laila stays

I hear what you're saying Starpuss and because of "liftgate" it's very easy to forget that he DID put in a flawless AS Foxtrot. But, after reading his blog entry, and the way Zoe and Phil went, I don't think his dancing will come into it.

His foxtrot AS was beautiful until the lift that shall not be named. I am hoping that will stand him in good stead for an actual foxtrot. He is not my fav (I am an AliI fan) but I think it would be awful if he didn't get through this week. I am remaining positive that he does well.

I didn't mean to say Ali would go over Ricky - merely pointing out that she would be more likely to be in the dance off despite having done worse with the public ! That's just crazy.

Can't see the judges voting Ricky off

I agree.

I don't think Laila would stand a chance against Ricky.

The judges would not want to remove Ali's main rival in terms of dancing ability either.

A Ricky vs Ali final would be so BORING!

Not for me.

Two great people who dance wonderfully without the need to gurn.

Apologies to pick on you MARTYM8, but why does everyone keeps saying an Ali v Ricky final would be boring? It's been chanted around these forums like a mantra and I don't understand why?

Well I suppose it would be boring if you don't like Ali or Ricky. I guess the easy answer to that one is don't watch it, that's my pick if Laila goes this week.

I've watched finals where my fave wasn't there and still found them exciting. In fact I've enjoyed them more because I could appreciate the dancing, rather than sit there gnawing at my nails "praying" that the other couple would trip up!

Its - quite likely as it would probably be a Ricky vs Chris dance off next week unless Ricky tops the judges vote (unlikely cos the judges have worked it out).

Even if Chris got 99% of the public vote he will almost certainly go next week. The dance off is all wrong at the semi final stage - why do the judges get 2 shots at voting but the public only 1.

Because Ali has no ounce of pizazz or showmanship in her. She's a lovely, precise, technical dancer but she very rarely sells the routine. For the majority of the public this isn't enough - they aren't ballroom dancing experts so the subtleties of what she's doing well will be lost on them. She needs to concentrate more on the performance aspect of what she does and not just getting the steps right. I'd say the tango tonight is her last chance - if she can't even get the mood of that right, she'll never get it now.

Ricky can sell dance a little better, especially the Latin. He's never going to look great at ballroom due to his legs and feet. However, he's got to stop making errors.

In the end it would seem to me that a Ricky/Chris final would be the most dynamic. Laila can give it some too (her tango and paso were both excellent in that aspect). Ali is the sort of dancer you give a polite clap of appreciation to but she doesn't exactly make you leap out of the chair in excitement.

For goodness sake woman, there's only 3 shows left - you need to bring it tonight or you never will!

I really don't think Chris will be in the danceoff, I seriously think he's going to win.
I think it's going to be Laila and Ricky in the danceoff unless Ricky is top with the judges then it may be Laila and Ali. Either way I think Laila will go which will be a shame as I think her and Anton have really bonded now and she could do a really good AT

But I do find Ali wonderful to watch. People keep stating as fact that Chris is entertaining but I don't find it so at all. The final straw for me was his tongue hanging out in the Charleston, it made me feel nauseous

So while I understand that for some people he is good to watch for other of us Ali is just as entertaining.

If Laila goes tonight and Ali tops the judges vote next week Chris is out. No matter how much he wins the public vote by!

Terrrible - but its true. Only way Chris can win now is if its an Ali vs Ricky bottom two this evening. So if you are a Chris fan and want him to win you need to vote for Laila tonight as she needs to beat Ali in the public vote for Chris to win the competition.

Crazy - but that's the disgraceful system this show has!