Mark my words RUSSELL WILL NOT WIN THIS SEASON. There is no way that he can beat anyone left on the show when brought before the jury. He couldn't even beat Shambo.
In my opinion, the winner of the season is always the best at scheming. They are the ones who know how to balance their scheming so they don't seem like an ****** to everyone on the jury, yet they aren't too reclusive to be voted off early. In my opinion, Natalie is playing the best game by far right now. She is the only member left on the show that is liked by BOTH tribes. You could argue Jaison and Mick, but Galu has already said that they don't like Mick. And Jaison made a slimy move by telling the Galus how much Russell made, which will make him look less respected in their eyes. He played the money card wayyyyy too early. He should have waited until the end.
Russell, in my opinion, is NOT playing the best game. He is being way too agressive to be voted the winner in the last episode, hence he is not playing the best game. Monica, as much as I dislike her, was completely correct that the only reason Russell was there is because he is surviving on hidden immunity idols. Yes, that's part of the game, but, as Jaison said, that won't get you anywhere on day 36. Russell is playing a great game to get to the final three. He has insured that he will get there. But he has also insured that he will not win against his opponent in the final vote.
Survivor is about winning, not being 2nd. Russell has forgotten that, and that is the flaw in the way he plays the game.
My prediction is that it will be Russell and either Natalie, Jaison, or Mick in the finals. Russell loses against any of those 3.