Odds Review: Week Ending 06/02
Our first super Saturday of the year has concluded giving us much to discuss including 4 confirmed entries.
There’s no point in standing on ceremony with Italy the big talking point having retaken their lead in the odds following San Remo. Mahmood & Blanco stormed to victory and currently sit as the strongest favourites so far at 4.7. Full thoughts coming in the review but the move is warranted.
Our other 3 new entries have done little to affect the odds. Ireland made the smartest choice perhaps and will be on the cusp of qualification in what’s looking a weak semi 2., assuming of course the EBU don’t throw the ‘brooke’ at them for deadline breaches. Part of the reason for that weakness lies in North Macedonia who have gone with ‘Circles’ and already look a likely NQ. Israel lie in the first half of that same semi and are one I need to revisit in full having ignored much of x-factor before deciding just how weak they are- from what I have seen the answer is ‘very’.
Again, Poland took the lead in the odds briefly this week with Ochman’s entry officially out but safe to say Italy have stole his thunder somewhat. Greece now sit top 5 in the odds with a certain fan site taking a break from guessing every scenario Cyprus are considering to hyping Amanda’s entry. Anyone jumping on in the teens will be hoping their tastes are correct and by “slay” they don’t mean “maybe top 10”. The general more sensible word is positive however. The UK'‘s act may or may not have been revealed as Chelcee Grimes, the market appears to be taking that with a pinch of salt given the unmoved price practically- not the most promising I’d say.
Back to what we do know and Melodifestivalen began in Sweden beset by app voting issues. Cornelia Jakobs took the semi win there (phone votes only) and has renewed some interest in Sweden on the outright. The appearance of Subwoolfer across the border in Norway has sent their odds the over way with neither their ‘emotional’ ballad or ‘viral’ novelty pop song making much of a dent.
Iceland have shown their hand and immediately shot to 100+ and we get more song reveals in the next week from Serbia, Denmark, Germany and Croatia. Three of the 4 could have something worth discussing, whilst the word from Denmark is as unpromising as it gets.
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia all select on Saturday as do Ukraine who are the most fancied of the four at around 40 so this is not expected to be a decisive evening in the season.
