Game of Thrones season 7 finale: 5 theories and predictions that have everyone talking

**Spoilers for 'Beyond the Wall' ahead**

Season seven of Game of Thrones has blasted forward with unprecedented speed for the HBO series, bring death, fire, and destruction to Westeros.

With only one episode remaining, many fans are speculating over what may happen within the finale, ranging from death by brother’s sword, to death by brother’s birth.

Below are five of the most-talked about theories and prediction which we expect to unravel either during the episode or next season. (Note: real spoilers have leaked, however, I have not read them. The below is merely speculation.)

1. Cleganebowl

Get those air horns blasting as the hype train has officially left the station. For those unaware, the eventual battle between the two Clegane brothers — The Hound or The Mountain — has been highly touted by fans ever since their showdown in season one.

Thanks to the season seven trailer, we’re pretty much guaranteed the two will at least meet, if not battle to the death in the Dragonpit. Who will win remains a mystery, but The Mountain actor backs himself “100%”.

2. Bran, the Night King

Bran Stark, or possibly...the Night King? The popular fan theory, explained. (HBO)

Bran’s not really Bran anymore, the Stark having transformed fully into the Three-Eyed Raven. There’s now a theory that Bran, using his time travelling abilities, will go back and become the Night’s King.

The first way Bran tries to prevent the long winter coming is by telling the Mad King to “Burn them all”. However, the phrase drives Aerys Targaryen II mad, an event that leads to Robert’s Rebellion and hence why his last words are “Burn them all”.

The second time he goes back, Bran aims to return to when men discovered how to kill White Walkers. However, Bran miscalculates the timing, landing himself after mankind forgets the Walkers kryptonite. He then warns into Bran the Builder and constructs The Wall as a temporary measure.

Finally, Bran travels back to when the Children of the Forest turned the first man into a White Walker, in an attempt to defend themselves from mankind. Bran warns into the White Walker, hoping to prevent everything, but ends up becoming trapped within the Night’s King.

Bran’s mind is then almost completely overtaken by the White Walker’s need to destroy mankind — their original purpose. However, there’s still some of Bran left, hence why the Night’s King allows Jon to go free during ‘Beyond the Wall’. Of course, this is a relatively convoluted story which may only be hinted at during the finale.

3. Cersei’s demise

For many seasons, fans have been wondering when the “Valonqar” — which translates from High Valerian as “little brother — would finally kill Cersei. While the obvious person is Tyrion, fans believe Jaime will be the one to kill the Mad Queen, probably in some Romeo and Juliet style death.

However, with Jaime absolutely besotted, chances are the Lannister could never become the Queen Slayer. With news that Cersei’s pregnant, though, if she dies during childbirth, that would inadvertently be Jaime killing her. Chances are the event will be even more ironic as Cersei may die like her mother, giving birth to a dwarf.

4. 'The Dragon and the Wolf’

The episode’s title likely posits that Daenerys Targaryen (the dragon) and Jon Snow (the wolf) will be front and centre, the duo either learning about Rhaegar Targaryen being Jon’s real father — making Dany his aunt — or the pair finally getting together.

However, the title could very well have a double meaning: recent reports indicate Wilf Scolding may play Rhaegar on the show. Could the title refer to a flashback between that character and Jon’s mother, Lyanna Stark. With Gilly recently dropping the bombshell that the pair were legally married, that could mean we’re about to learn that Jon Snow is actually rightful heir to the Iron Throne.

5. Littlefinger

The master manipulator has been stuck in Winterfell all season, trying to, and somewhat succeeding, in pitting Sansa Stark and Arya against each other. Many fans have questioned why the sisters would turn on each other so drastically — each having vowed to do everything to protect family — and may have the answers.

Sansa has, as she’s said numerous times, learnt a lot from Littlefinger. What if Sansa and Arya are acting up on purpose, hoping to lure out Littlefinger so they can kill him? While a pretty bland demise for such a brilliantly clever character, there’s little other explanation as to why Arya would threaten to take her own sister’s face.

To find out exactly what happens in the finale, catch Game of Thrones on Sky Atlantic in the UK (streaming on NOW TV).