Italy- San Remo Final Night Preview
Those who saw my pre -song look nearly a month back will know that I was quite keen on a certain Ermal Meta as a jury fav and that is exactly what has transpired. He leads the pack currently and sits a strong favourite going into finals night. The problem for Ermal is that, the second part of my prediction- that he would not be a televote favourite also looks likely.
In addition to him not being the biggest or most popular name, there also looks like there’s a significant portion of Italians who feel he’s being pushed too hard. Maybe it’s fatigue with him having a lot of recent success here, or maybe its more to do with big favourites such as Manneskin on night one and Annalisa last night receiving some pretty harsh scores. The song has also captured imaginations much less. Ermal is not winning the televote and he honestly looks like being third in that department regardless of who makes the superfinal with him. Whilst the other contenders have received their harsh scores already, Meta is yet to get his yet. He’s a worthy favourite given his points on the board so far, but he is not out of reach.
The act most likely to crash the party in my opinion are Maneskin, who have the biggest potential televote out of the chasing pack. Their good result in the press poll last night has lifted them back into this and their differentiation to the competition could help in the superfinal and they will be the biggest beneficiary of any anti-Meta sentiment.
I don’t know what the press were watching yesterday as Annalisa received only a 17th place with them. That may well have killed her chances as her path to victory was probably to come second across the board. Arisa likewise does not seem to have enough firepower on the televote to overcome Ermal Meta.
Willie Peyote is a surprise name to see up in second. His song is a grower but the performances have not been to such a level and the exact same can be said for Colapesce and Dimartino. I don’t think either has enough for a win although a top three is not beyond either, with Willie obviously more likely.
The last name in the discussion is Irama who has been going under the radar somewhat with his consistent but unexceptional results so far. He looks well placed for a top 3 given his popularity but may have needed to be higher in at least one section to take the crown.
A final word on Francesca and Fedez who look completely gone. Adding in Fedez was always a move designed with the televote in mind. This was never going to be the jury favourite, but his performances, mainly his nerves and awkwardness have put them out of contention.
Here’s my prediction for the night:
1. Maneskin 2. Ermal Meta 3. Irama
For me, I’d be surprised now to see someone other than those top 2 take it, I’ll throw Maneskin up top as I just feel the momentum is turning here and with them being the much bigger odds, but covering both is the best course of action. Irama does stand out in this lineup and the odds may have him too far behind the rest.