ONLY A FEW months remain before the 67th Miss Universe pageant, and pageant fans across the globe are already placing their bets. So let’s compare notes.

Here, we look at the possible frontrunners — the contestants from the queens-producing countries whose sashes carry real weight, going by recent years’ performance.

USA. First on our list is the USA, still number one in Miss Universe wins, with Olivia Culpo as its most recent titleholder, crowned in 2012. The country has been a regular finalist in the years since. This year, the USA is represented by Sarah Rose Summers of Nebraska, well liked for being a strong conversationalist — an edge that, on top of the sash, makes her a real contender.

Sarah Rose Summers, Miss USA 2018

Sarah Rose Summers in long gown during the Miss USA competition in May 2018.

VENEZUELA. Dogged by controversy over allegations that past contestants were “pimped out” — one of the hottest issues back home amid the country’s ailing economy — Venezuela can never be ignored in Miss Universe conversation. Keysi Sayago’s strong fourth-runner-up finish last year backs that up; the country still holds the No. 2 rank with seven crowns since 1952. This year it’s Sthefany Gutiérrez carrying the sash — a departure from past queens that seems to be working in her favor.

Sthefany Gutiérrez, Miss Venezuela Universe 2018

Sthefany Gutiérrez, Venezuela

PHILIPPINES. Pia Wurtzbach may have raised the Philippines’ sash to new heights, but plenty of Filipina beauties before and after her have made the country a contestant to beat. This year it’s Catriona Gray — composed, with a queenly aura, and beauty paired with brains. After her unsuccessful Miss World 2016 bid, Filipinos campaigned for her to try Binibining Pilipinas; she listened, and won the right to represent the Philippines at Miss Universe 2018. From the night she won to her recent interviews, Catriona has shown the brilliance, sincerity, charm, and intelligence a Miss Universe queen needs.

Catriona Gray, Miss Universe Philippines 2018

Catriona Gray, Philippines

For this writer, it’ll be a head-to-head between Catriona and Sarah if both make the Top 5.

That’s not to discount the other sash-factor countries, chief among them the ever-strong Colombia.

COLOMBIA makes our A-list after nearly winning the crown several times in recent years. Last year, Laura González came close, giving reigning Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa a real fight in the final round — following the 2016 edition, when Andrea Tovar placed second runner-up to France’s Iris Mittenaere. And who could forget 2015, when Steve Harvey announced Colombia’s Ariadna Gutierrez as the winner, only to correct himself seconds later and crown the actual winner, Pia Wurtzbach of the Philippines? Three years and two near-misses later, we think Colombia is back with a vengeance this year — fitting for a country that gave us one of the most beautiful Miss Universe queens ever, Paulina Vega, Miss Universe 2014. As of this writing, Colombia’s new queen has yet to be crowned; the national finals are set for November 2018, but the field alone has us excited.

SOUTH AFRICA. FRANCE. South Africa could easily become the country to beat again. Following Demi-Leigh’s win, the country looks strong this year with black beauty Tamaryn Green as its new queen — will she deliver back-to-back titles?

Tamaryn Green, Miss South Africa Universe 2018

France, meanwhile, has already crowned its queen, though she doesn’t look as strong as past winners — worth watching her progress in the months ahead. On sash factor alone, France has placed well even before Iris’ 2016 win, with Flora Coquerel (2015) and Camille Cerf (2014) both making the finals.

JAMAICA. THAILAND. AUSTRALIA. Beyond the four countries above, a few others have come close enough to nearly snatch the crown outright: Jamaica, Thailand, and Australia. Remember Jamaica’s Davina Bennett, tipped to win last year, or Kaci Fennell in 2014? Thailand’s Maria Poonlertlarp nearly took it last year, had she cleared the Q & A round cleanly, following Chalita Suansane’s finals run in 2016. Australia has had its own finalists too, in Monika Radulovic (2015) and Tegan Martin (2014). Jamaica, Australia, and Thailand have yet to crown their 2018 queens, so we’ll wait and see who they send.

THE LATINAS. We shouldn’t forget the rest of Latin America, especially with Brazil’s Mayra Dias looking like another strong queen.

And while this post is about sash factors, one contestant outside that circle caught our eye: Peru’s Romina Lozano. Her performance at Miss Peru suggests she’s ready for the fight of her life at Miss Universe — and she has real potential to win.

Romina Lozano, Miss Peru Universe 2018

One country we’re still wondering about: Sweden. It sits at a tied third place for most Miss Universe crowns overall, yet hasn’t made the cut in 33 years — Yvonne Ryding won its last crown in 1984, and its last Top 15 finish was in 2011. Could this be the year it comes back?

Who are your picks for Miss Universe 2018?