So what's the real deal?
From what we supposedly know the previous season did not have its finale until after this season was done filming, right?
Russel states on this season (in the regular filming, towards the end a bit before the jury questioning) that he brought two people to the end on the last season that he should have won against and he did not win. (more or less)
Was he just assuming? Even if so he seems inconsistant. It seems like there were plenty of times where he "knew" he was going to win the last season and he certainly seemed surprised on the last season finale when he didn't win.
Plus with the Sandra interview that rffradio had it seems like Sandra basically says the same thing. She says that Russel claims that he for sure won the season before and now he was just backpedaling.