Simon Cowell Predicts Season 7 Winner

In an interview with Extra, American Idol's British resident judge reveals some insight into the show and the season 7 finale tonight. "I think David Archuleta will go in as a favorite, but I think David Cook could win the night," Cowell said, as quoted in MonstersAndCritics.com.

This season of AI has been one of the most talked about in its history. Alongside the pressure to win, both finalists have extra personal stress. The brother of 25-year-old David Cook, who's supposed to attend the finale, is currently battling cancer. The younger, 17-year-old David Archuleta has an overbearing stage dad who's recently caught bad publicity.

Boston Herald said that according to various reports, Archuleta's father, Jeff, has been banned from the backstage area by Idol's producers. Still, Cowell said it doesn't matter, for there's quite a difference between an ill brother and a bossy father. Referring to Cook, Cowell advised, "That's total stress, but he has got to put that out of his mind on the night."

There's been speculation that if David Archuleta lost, it might be for his own benefit. Viewers tend to agree, as the Boston Herald reported, that the chaotic life he'd be thrown into might be too much for Archuleta, who's still a minor. He even told a reporter recently that he needs to try other things outside of singing.

The public spotlight could be less threatening for the scruffy rocker David Cook, who is this season's Daughtry. As the Herald wrote, "[Cook] is old enough to understand he's making a deal with the devil."

The finale airs May 20 at 8/7C on FOX.