I state now that this thread is only for speculative purposes. Do not tell us things you know about why candidates will not win (like they have a website or something.)

Running through the candidates:

Alex - Probably not going to survive past interviews (if they are happening this time) - SAS just doesn't like him enough. If he does, I can't see him winning.

Lee - Never been in the final boardroom - but statistics show this is not a good thing. I don't feel he is genuinely intelligent enough to win.

Michael - He has it coming. Big time. SAS wanted to fire him last week, he escaped this week not on account of exactly doing well. Wait for another inevitable trip up. He's been edited as a complete fool pretty much every episode from day 1. I don't feel this happens to winners. But he may reach the final.

Lucinda - I think possibly the next candidate to go. In a boardroom with Lee and Alex, she may come across as the least amiable. She doesn't seem to get on with ANYONE, either. You don't get anywhere by disagreeing all the time.

Claire - Unfortunately could do very well. But judging by SAS's comments this week about 500 rounds of bullshit, she wont win.

Helene - I think it's mentioned in another thread how she suspiciously never seems to appear unless she has to (as a PM.) SAS liked her at first, always asking her opinion. He doesn't seem so sure anymore, but she is under the radar (but not out of the boardroom). This is my pick to win.

I dunno, Michael might win it, God forbid, if he carries on worming himself out of situations.

I think :

Lee - He is a grafter but unfortunately his temper will be his downfall. I don't think he's capable of straight thinking if he gets angry and considering the show is filmed over 5 weeks and he's already lost his temper so many times it doesn't looks good for his future prospects. I think he'll probably get considerably close to the title but may not win.

Alex - He's such a sneak although I think both Nick and SAS like him so he could go far.

Claire - I thought she could win but after last night she has no chance. SAS said that she "bullsh*ts" all the time and I don't think he wants an Apprentice like that. I think the interviews , if she makes it to them will definetely expose her weaknesses.

Micheal - SAS seems to have a soft spot for him but let's face it , he's not gonna win because a) he's useless and b) he's acting most of the time. Nothing but a fame-seeker and Nick and Margaret see that IMO.

Lucinda - I think SAS liked her to begin with but has gone off her slightly now. She's the one I'm unsure about. She could either go in the next two weeks or go all the way but I think the former looks more likely as Nick has said that she "plays the victim" so I'm guessing they're not on her side.

Helene - I think she has a good chance at the title. I think it's very likely she'll make the top 2 but winning depends on who SAS is looking for and if she is it then she has it in the bag.

My tip for the final 2 : Alex v Helene.

No, surely SAS is keeping him in purely so he can be cold bloodedly annihiliated by the interviewing henchmen from hell. "That's what I'm talking about".

I reckon Claire will win but there is still a lot that can happen in the meantime to make me change my mind.

Lucinda will win...

She's way in front, intellectually and emotionally.

A very clever young lady – and you can quote me when she wins.

I have to admit, Alex vs Helene would make an interesting final. I'm afraid Lucinda has alot of work to do.

I think it's between Lee, Helen, and Lucinda. Recent comments from SAS indicate to me that he has seen enough from Alex, Michael and Claire to rule them out from the list of candidates he has in his head, even if they are still in the show itself. His attitude to Helene after the wedding dress mess, never seriously considering firing her despite the mistakes she had made, indicate that he has a lot of time for her so I think that she will win.

Alex Claire Lee and Helene will be the final 4

Lee to win

Michael can't keep surviving

Lucinda will be busy picking up the tpys she threw out of her pram

I honestly haven't a clue, but going on SAS's past record, I would say the weakest person who's going to do as they're told, so I wouldn't be surprised to see Michael get a shot

Claire.

Michael will win. It's obvious Sir Alan wants a Jewish(even half) apprentice now.

I think Claire will win......Sir Alan really seems to like her!

Claire.

Despite the comment about her being full of cattle excrement, I SAS definitely has a fondness for her.

See, you say that as if Alan Sugar actually wants anyone with an ounce of intelligence.

I reckon he could have a chance, but I've got a horrible feeling its going to be a Claire-Helene final