Eurovision Betting Odds: An Early Preview Of The 2022 Song Contest
Eurovision Tips:
- Back Sweden to win Eurovision at 5/1 with Betfair
- Back Georgia each-way to win Eurovision at 250/1 with bet365
Eurovision, the ultimate European party and cultural exchange, has a very different feel this year. Firstly, crowds are back, and the contest is in Italy, the show’s best performer in recent years. Hooray!
However, the obvious spectre of the war in Ukraine casts a long and dark shadow over a contest which was designed to bring a continent closer together.
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In terms of the impact on the markets for the contest on the best betting sites, Ukraine’s odds have tumbled over recent weeks.
The country has a stellar record at Eurovision. They first took part in 2003 and have won twice since, and have notched no less than 10 top 10 finishes.
They are also the only country with a 100% semi-final qualification record. Make no mistake, Ukraine are contest heavyweights.
Eurovision Winner Odds
| Country | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Ukraine | 6/4 | Paddy Power |
| Italy | 3/1 | Ladbrokes |
| Sweden | 5/1 | Betfair |
| United Kingdom | 14/1 | Betfair |
| Poland | 22/1 | BetVictor |
| Greece | 20/1 | BetVictor |
| Spain | 30/1 | BetVictor |
| Norway | 33/1 | Betfair |
| Netherlands | 33/1 | Paddy Power |
| Australia | 40/1 | Betfair |
Ukraine Expected To Attract Lots Of Votes
Ukraine’s entry this year strikes the perfect balance between melancholy and positivity, an apt mood for a country in their situation. Of course, televotes are going to flood in as pan-European solidarity is assured.
Kalush Orchestra are expected to make it to the grand final. However, if they are unable to leave Ukraine a pre-recorded performance will be allowed on the night. So representation in some shape or form is guaranteed.
However, Eurovision always returns to its fundamentals. It is a song contest, and the Ukrainian entry is certainly not the best song in the contest. In fact, it wasn’t even the best song in the Ukrainian national finals.
“Stefania” finished second at Vidbir, the Ukrainian national final, but controversies surrounding the winner meant the end result is Kalush Orchestra will take their place in Turin. The song contains a mix of ethnic chanting, folk flute, and rapping.
The rapping element in particular doesn’t tie in well and it has to be a major doubt the song will resonate with juries, who account for 50% of total points in the contest.
Italian And Swedish Entries Are Ones To Watch
The 2022 contest is definitely lacking in strength in depth and two songs stand head and shoulders above the rest in terms of quality; Italy (3/1) and Sweden (5/1).
To be honest, I would be hopeful you could back both now each-way with specials betting sites and be in a very strong position come May 14, as I believe the winner will come from this duo.
Reigning champions Italy are represented by Mahmood and Blanco, who bring an emotional duet with sensational vocals. Mahmood finished second in 2019 and there is no doubt Italy are going to bring a very strong package to the Turin stage.
Of course, there are question marks about any country going back-to-back, but if any country can do it it’s the Italians. However, with Italy being drawn in stall 9 for the final and the repeat is in doubt, I am reluctantly going to overlook them.
Sweden always come with a strong package to Eurovision and this year’s entry from Cornelia Jakobs is their best since victory in 2015.
In the past 10 years the Swedes have finished in the top five on no less than seven occasions, testament to their ability to stage their entries well. Their national selection contest Melodifestivalen ensures the victorious emerging act is already polished.
Cornelia’s song Hold me Closer is a rousing break-up ballad and her smokey vocals add a classy element.
The song hits at a 90’s style that is in vogue at the minute, but it is contemporary enough to succeed with both juries and televote. With the prospect of Sweden possibly getting a better draw than Italy, and them being a slightly bigger price than Italy with Betfair, they are the selection.
Georgia Are A Dark Horse
There are almost no shoulder markets out there, but when they do emerge I’ll be keen to have Georgia on side.
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They are the only act yet to play their hand with a music video, but their quirky electro-funk-rock number is very different to everything else in the contest. Outsiders can often emerge to contend for places, and there is a quality and sincerity to the Georgian act this year.
The band have a definite likeability, which could be a massive positive once the music video and pre-party performances start to emerge.
Realistically, it would be best to place tickles at wild prices, but 250/1 in the outright market on bet365 can provide some entertainment for small stakes.
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