Anyone can provide gossip and guesswork, but we at Fametracker have gone straight to the pros -- to one pro in particular: world Oscar Pool champion "Texas" Tex Anson. Tex has made his living in professional award-show pools since he picked his first National Radio Awards, or "Whizzies," as a young boy of fifteen in 1926. Today, he stands as the world's leading expert in Oscar prognostication. It is our honor and privilege to present his picks to you.

As a three-time World Champion and seventy-nine-year professional awards-pool player, I don't think I've ever seen an Oscar ceremony as wide open as this one. They may call them the "Academy Awards," but that's not really an appropriate name, because there's nothing academic about it!

In fact, you'd have to go to a special Academy just to figure out the special nuances of who will win what, and why, and where. So I guess the name is appropriate.

Some might say, "Tex Anson, why share your secrets on this, the eve of the greatest awards show of the year?" To which I'd say, "This is not the eve -- it's actually several days away. 'Eve' is another way of saying 'evening,' as in the night before. You know, like Hallowe'en, or as it's known in many countries, All Hallowed Eve, which is, of course, the night before All Hallows Day."

So without further stalling, here's my rundown of the shoo-ins, the sure things, and the also-rans in this year's awards -- chosen, as always, through a combination of skill, experience, gut intuition, guesswork, privileged information acquired through quasi-legal means, and my innate psychic ability, which every year I become more and more convinced is not just my imagination.

Best Supporting Actor

Alan Alda: The guy from M*A*S*H*. Who didn't love M*A*S*H*? A lock.
Odds: 2 to 1

Thomas Haden Church: Also from M*A*S*H*. Remember him? He was the pompous British guy who also used to mix it up with Hawkeye and Trapper John, M.D. I like his chances, though I didn't see Sideways. I was headed to see it but stopped at a bar and got drunk, which, as I understand it, is pretty much the same thing. Still, I see him as a strong contender.
Odds: 3 to 1

Morgan Freeman: He played God. Who wants to bet against God? I like the part where he saves that little baby, then holds her up and says, "Baby, you look like a million bucks," and then the baby can have any of her wishes come true. So she makes other chicks' skirts fly up. That was this movie, right?
Odds: 2 to 1

Jamie Foxx: This guy was so hilarious on Sanford and Son, I don't see how anyone can vote against him. Well, I won't -- he's got my vote.
Odds: 2 to 1

Clive Owen: Sorry, Clive -- this isn't going to be your year. For starters, your name is Clive, and that just doesn't say "Oscar."
Odds: 2 to 1

Best Supporting Actress

Cate Blanchett: Normally, I'd see Oscar glory for this little lady -- there's nothing the Academy voters like more than a spirited spitfire. But she won't be helped by the fact that her name's obviously been misspelled on the ballot. A tragedy that also makes her an also-ran.
Odds: 13 to 2

Natalie Portman: Is this finally the year that Natalie Portman breaks through? She didn't win for her performance in Dracula, which I thought was stunning. Then again, sometimes the Academy likes to reward you for a movie that's not as good as the movie they didn't reward you for before. Trust me. But not this time.
Odds: 8 to 5

Laura Linney: Personally, I think one of the hardest things in the world for an actress to do is play a character whose name is very, very close to her real name. And since Linney starred in Kinsey, I think this may finally be her year. I'd have to watch the movie again to be sure, but I don't remember her mixing up the names even once.
Odds: 7 to 5

Virginia Madsen: The Academy's never recognized her brother, Michael, and I don't think they're going to start with her. Another disappointing year for the Madsen family -- and for you, if you bet on this filly.
Odds: 2 to 1

Sophie Okonedo: In the world of professional Oscar Pool players, we have a word for this kind of candidate: Pick him. Or her. Pick him or her. I think when voters think of Sophie, they'll think of Sophie's Choice, and then they'll make Sophie their choice.
Odds: Even

Best Actor

Leonardo DiCaprio: I can't see how the Academy will support him after what happened when he won Best Actor for Titanic. Remember how he called himself "King of the World" in his speech? And jumped over all those seats? And said "Show me the money"? Well, sorry kid, but they won't show you the Oscar. Not this year. Still, don't count him out.
Odds: 5 to 4

Johnny Depp: Such a talented young actor, with so many good roles ahead of him. Still, it's too bad for him they don't have an award for little boys. I loved him in My Six Senses, though. But he won't see golden people this year. Sorry, Johnny.
Odds: 8 to 4

Don Cheadle: Seeing as an African American has never won an Oscar, or any other major entertainment award, I don't see this as the year that one will break through. Which is a real, real shame.
Odds: 4 to 1

Clint Eastwood: A true legend. This is the kind of moment the Oscars were made for: Clint, up there, getting his Oscar, then doing one-armed push-ups, just like he did that last time. That was magic, and I think they'll want to see that again. And by "they," I mean America.
Odds: 12 to 3

Jamie Foxx: Like I said, don't vote against Sanford and Son.
Odds: 24 to 6

Best Actress

Catalina Sandino Moreno: Sometimes, you just have to go with your gut. And when I close my eyes, my gut tells me that on Oscar night, Jessica Tandy is going to be saying the words, "And the winner is, Catalina Sandino Moreno." That just sounds right.
Odds: 4 to 3

Kate Winslet: Sorry, but this night belongs to Catalina. And I don't mean the salad dressing. I mean Catalina Sandino Moreno, as I stated earlier.
Odds: 8 to 6

Hilary Swank: Think about it -- even her name is another word for "classy." Or just "class," I guess. Like swank and swanky. Either way, no chance.
Odds: 45 to 1

Annette Beatty: It's hard to vote against Annette Beatty, given that she's also a classy, or swanky, lady. And I know a lot of people are pulling for her after that brave performance in Being Julia, the biopic about Julia Roberts. That takes guts. But I think this year she's going to come up a little bit short, unless she wins.
Odds: 5 to 2

Imelda Staunton: I still don't think people have forgiven her for all those shoes. Who needs a thousand pairs of shoes?
Odds: 30 to 1

Best Director

Mike Leigh: Again, Mr. Lee is the victim of an unfortunate ballot spelling error. That will really hurt him. Plus, he co-directed this film with Vera Drake, and I don't think Oscar voters like to vote for co-directors. Just call it a hunch.
Odds: 11 to 1

Taylor Hackford: This one really steams me. You know, if you're going to direct a film that gets nominated for an Oscar, at least have the guts to put your own name on it. Don't hide behind the Director's Guild generic name for movies that the director won't put their name on. "Taylor Hackford," indeed.
Odds: 8 to 3

Martin Scorsese: Does anyone really want to see him take another one of these home? Yawn!
Odds: 20 to 1

Clint Eastwood: A true legend. And that legend will only grow stronger when he takes home Oscar gold, plus some more push-ups.
Odds: 1 to 4

Best Picture

Finding Neverland: I just don't think an animated film can win Best Picture.
Odds: 3 to 1

Million Dollar Baby: Or a musical.
Odds: 20 to 1

Sideways: Or a foreign-language film.
Odds: 15 to 1

Ray: Now this is something Academy voters like: short and simple, with an exciting, suspenseful plot. Who will the ray strike next? Will you be blinded by the ray? I really like this movie's chances, except that it won't win. And that's because of
Odds: 9 to 1

The Aviator: If you've got one sure-fire bet for the night, this is it. It's got everything Hollywood loves: romance, action, glamour. And superhero movies are so hot these days! Yes, ride this movie all the way to the winner's circle, just like you could have ridden Seabiscuit last year. The horse, I mean, not the movie, which didn't fare that well as I recall.
Odds: Even