'American Idol' Predictions Announced by Wynn Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, NV (Wynn Las Vegas) - All eyes - and bets - are on the Fox reality show "American Idol" to generate the most intense competition of the year, according to John Avello, director of race & sports operations for Wynn Las Vegas.

Avello, whose purview normally covers all on-site sports bets and nationwide horse racing for the Las Vegas Strip venue, has assessed all "Idol" contestants since the launch of the show. He has a near perfect record, pegging advance No 1 rankings to winners Ruben Studdard, Fantasia and Carrie Underwood weeks before their crowning.

As of today, Avello has given open odds to win the 2006 season of "Idol" as follows:
No 8 Bucky: 35/1
No 7 Taylor: 25/1
No 6 Kellie: 15/1
No 5 Elliott: 12/1
No 4 Paris: 10/1
No 3 Katharine: 8/1
No 2 Ace: 5/1
and the best bet to win the fifth season of "American Idol":
No 1 Chris: 4/1

"This competition is all about the voters at home, but they're not necessarily voting based on talent," says Avello, who has also supplemented his sports focus with other entertainment odds-making including the Oscars, Emmys and Grammys. Avello will update his "American Idol" odds each week until the series finale on May 24.

Odds to win attached are for wagering entertainment purposes only.