Top 10 Survivor Edge of Extinction predictions: First boot, winner and more

Who will lead the first returnee vote-out: Chris Underwood

From what I read about Chris, he seems to be the most self-assured charmer of the new players. It’s for a good reason; he is a district sales manager after being a barista a year before earning that role. He’s charismatic but strategic; aloof but intelligent; a social surfer.

Returning players are the biggest threat to players like Chris, as their natural ability to win friends and influence people is diminished when other players idolize the likes of David Wright and Kelley Wentworth. I believe Chris has the ability to pull off a blindside against David (perhaps with Kelley’s assistance) so he can usurp his power within a larger alliance.

Who will be a dynamic duo: Gavin Whitson and Joe Anglim

Returning players in any Survivor season with a mixture of returnees and newbies have an insane advantage. As of before Edge of Extinction, there is a 28.2% chance for a returning player to make the Final Tribal Council while an average new player has just an 8.6% chance.

One part of the reason why these players do so well is that the deck is stacked in their favor. Gavin is a huge Joe Anglim fan, and seeing how well they’re getting along early would be a strong suggestion that Gavin and Joe could be a strong duo acting in unison going forward. There’s no doubt in my mind that Gavin will do whatever Joe asks of him, which may allow Joe to be a … what is this, a strategic player? Weird.