A multi-part series in which we look at the remaining Dancing with the Stars finalists as the season finale approaches.

Highlights:
Week 1’s record-scoring Cha-Cha:

Week 6’s fierce Samba:

Week 7’s sinuous and sensual Paso Doble:

Lowlight: Week 9’s Trio Salsa, where Amber didn’t do much of anything and couldn’t keep up with Derek and Mark

Amber blazed onto the scene in Week 1, scoring a record-typing 27 right out the gate with a stupendous cha-cha. After setting the bar so high, she really failed to measure up to it in the subsequent weeks. Her scores dipped because of shoddy footwork, a problem exacerbated by her injured knee. Everything turned around for her in Week 6, when she finally started living up to her potential, turning in solid routines and reestablishing herself as a contender.

The last two weeks, however, her injury seems to have gotten the better of her for the most part. Derek is doing his best to choreograph around her injury, but there is only so much that can be done. Amber can certainly pull through and deliver solid dances, but she needs to deliver outstanding dances to win the competition.

As for her injury, it can either get her votes or lose them depending on voters’ mentality. On the one hand, her dancing is impressive considering her busted knee and could get her votes. On the other hand, hearing about nothing but her injury for weeks on end gets tiresome, especially when she delivers performances as if nothing was wrong.

The pro: Derek is unquestionably the best pro on DwtS, and he knows how to win – he has a record four Mirrorball Trophies and has only come up short once in the finals twice. His outstanding choreography will give Amber a huge edge in the finals. On the downside, there is some feeling among viewers of wanting other pros to win for a change. It shouldn’t be as bad this season because both Cheryl and Karina have won before, but it’s still a factor. Derek has also never triumphed over Cheryl in the finals, so it will be interesting to see them go head-to-head.

Biggest advantage: Derek’s choreography. If Amber can perform it despite her injury, she could wow audiences enough to win. There might also be some advantage in being the only female celebrity left, and having female viewers impressed with her and voting in solidarity.

Notable precedents: The closest one would be last season’s winner, Kellie Pickler (also partnered with Derek), as a fellow young singer known from a Fox television show. Amber doubtless hopes to emulate that success.

Odds of winning: Hard to say – she is not the best dancer nor the most popular, but if she wows in the finals she could take it. Never underestimate the partner of Derek Hough. I give her a 25% chance of winning, but currently predict she’ll land in third.