Game of Thrones: Who Will Claim the Iron Throne

With the hype building for the eighth and final season of Game of Thrones, fans can't wait to see which plot lines finally get wrapped. When HBO first started adapting George R.R. Martin's epic story, few could have predicted how popular the series would become, but with countless wars, romances, betrayals and deaths, there's still a lot left we want to see happen.

The biggest point of interest, though, is who exactly will take the Iron Throne and rule the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. Following the latest cryptic teaser, and with so many figures chomping at the bit to claim the title of queen (or king) last season, let's analyze the top candidates and look at how their arcs over the years shape their odds.

5. TYRION LANNISTER: A LONG SHOT, BUT POSSIBLE

Tyrion Lannister from Game of Thrones with his scar.

Tyrion evolved from an alcoholic and petulant outsider into a wise leader, wanting to undo the Lannister legacy of blood -- which is why he has endorsed Daenerys to take the throne. However, in Season 7's finale, "The Dragon and the Wolf," we saw he was indeed jealous of her romance and overall alliance with Jon Snow.

Now, because he's a Lannister, we can't put it past him putting a knife in her or Jon's back once the dust (or, ahem, ice) clears after the battle with the Night King. The Targaryens' rule, after all, has always led to chaos, as per the Mad King Aerys and the war Rhaegar started, so Tyrion could attempt to keep them off the throne in a power play that would make his father and sister proud. No one would see it coming, as everyone loves Tyrion's heroic turn. In any case, even if Jon and Daenerys perish in battle, he's still the best man for the throne, as he wants a free and fair Westeros.

4. SANSA STARK: AN UNDERDOG, BUT A SLY ONE

Sansa has been through a lot, going from being tortured by Joffrey and his mother to Ramsay Bolton's ward. Not to mention she's seen the beheading of her father, Ned, and arrows shot through her little brother, Rickon. Along with Arya, the last of the Stark blood runs through her veins and, as we saw in Season 7, she's changed, emerging stronger and a bit more sinister.

Sansa setting up Littlefinger's execution shows how cerebral she's become, and there is a chance that her concerns about Jon's alliance with Daenerys could lead to her turning on them. After all, the Starks have known nothing but betrayal and death, so if she sees the opportunity to take the throne, especially if she distrusts this power couple, we can't rule out Sansa stabbing them in the back. She did learn manipulation from Littlefinger himself, and it seems she's become a master at it. Harboring secret intentions to put a Stark on the throne, especially as she knows people would follow her based on her family's reputation, may well be her solution to a new Westeros.

NEXT PAGE: Dragons Are Bound to Make All the Difference

3. DAENERYS: VERY LIKELY BECAUSE, WELL... DRAGONS

Daenerys may be a dragon short, but she still has two in her arsenal, which puts her and Jon's army as favorites against the Night King's legion now that he's breached the Wall at Castle Black. Ultimately, many fans want to see her sit atop the throne, as seen by the reception to her reaching Dragonstone (the home of the Targaryens) and how she's gone about plotting her coup on her chessboard.

Of course, the White Walkers threw a chilly wrench into her plans, but with Jon swearing fealty with the North, not to mention she's got Grey Worm and her own military, the odds are in her favor to secure what she believes is her birthright. From Season 1, Daenerys made it clear her marriage to Khal Drogo had to lead her to the Iron Throne, and she's done everything to take back what was stolen from her family. She grew from a girl into a woman, and with or without her soldiers, her resolve is so strong it's hard to see her not getting what she's always wanted, especially as we know she too will be an honorable ruler.

2. JON SNOW: HIGHLY LIKELY, BECAUSE HE KNOWS EVERYTHING NOW

Jon Snow covered in blood during the Battle of the Bastards in Game Of Thrones

After being resurrected, Jon has transformed from an unassuming young man into a warrior worthy of being called king. We saw him unite the North and forge a historic alliance to combat the Night King, someone he actually survived a fight with. With Sam Tarly at his side, Jon's sure to have all the insight and tools (e.g. dragonstone) necessary to slay the villain, and with all the respect he's garnered in the show, it's easy to see him ascending the throne as a man so many people trust.

Now, he's said he doesn't want the role, but as Rhaegar and Lyanna Stark's son (and the Mad King's grandson), he has a stronger claim than Deanerys (his aunt). It's hard to see him going back on his word, as he promised it to her, but if his newfound love dies, it makes sense for him to step up and rule the Seven Kingdoms the way Ned would have wanted. He's trained to be a leader with the Night's Watch, and even got those wildlings beyond the Wall to follow him, so no matter which team you're on, you can rest assured Jon will do true justice to the Seven Kingdoms and beyond.

1. CERSEI: A WILDCARD... BUT THE SMARTEST THERE IS

When she took the throne for herself following Tommen's death, fans truly understood how conniving and ruthless Cersei was. They always expected a king to rule, but this move caught us off guard and showed us we cannot discount a queen taking the throne. In a genius stroke, she transitioned the Lannisters from being Hands of the King to the folks laying down the law. Make no mistake, with this taste of power, don't expect her to relinquish it anytime soon.

If Jon, Daenerys and company battle the Night King to the death, the surviving party could well be wiped out by Cersei in a strategic move. She's just as passionate about the throne as Daenerys, and is even willing to sacrifice her own blood (Tyrion) for it, which says it all. Cersei already lied about joining the alliance against the White Walkers and is ready to sweep up the crumbs, with the Golden Company of Braavos (sellswords and mercenaries) and Euron Greyjoy's ships comprising her own personal hit squad. It'd be naive to underestimate someone this smart who always has a trump card up her sleeve.

Game of Thrones will return for its eighth and final season on April 14. The HBO drama stars Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister, Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister, Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen, Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark, Maisie Williams as Arya Stark and Kit Harington as Jon Snow.