A brief Eurovision history

As 2021’s edition of the Eurovision Song Contest fast approaches, bettors have taken to their favorite sportsbooks to get the latest odds on the singing competition.

the event has crowned 27 different countries in more than 60 years of competition

The event has crowned 27 different countries in more than 60 years of competition. Of course, some Eurovision entries have proven more successful than others. Perhaps most notably, ABBA shot to fame in 1974 after securing first place for Sweden. Meanwhile, Celine Dion kick-started her career representing Switzerland in 1988.

Other Eurovision artists are unforgettable for other reasons. Ireland’s 2008 representative, a hand puppet named Dustin the Turkey, remains one of the competition’s most famous entrants. Similarly, Finnish horror rock band Lordi gained stardom in 2006 after claming victory in nightmarish costumes.

With 2020’s competition canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s edition will take place in the home of 2019’s winner, the Netherlands. Sportsbooks have adjusted their odds following the rehearsals in Rotterdam over the past week, and with the semi-finals beginning on Tuesday and the final on May 22, it’s time to place those bets.

What are the betting options?

Due in part to the location of the competition, Eurovision betting has grown subtantially in Europe over recent years. As a result, bettors are now able to wager on the competition through any of the market’s top sportsbooks, including Sky Bet, Bet365, Betsson, and bwin.

Unfortunately for US bettors, no operators are currently offering Eurovision wagering. That could change in the build up to the event, however, as DraftKings usually offers a free-to-play pool competition on similar events. In the meantime, the offerings of European-based sportsbooks provide a clear representation of how those odds currently lie.

As the semi-finals approach, VegasSlotsOnline News has established the top five favorites based on the odds of these sportsbooks.

The top five for Rotterdam 2021

1. Italy

Act: M?neskin 

Song: Zitti e Buoni?

To Win Outright (Sky Bet): 5/2

As one of the so-called “Big Five” countries already pre-qualified for the competition’s final, Italy has no need to compete in the upcoming semi-finals. Judging by sportsbook odds however, the country’s energetic rock offering would have no difficulty making it to the grand final on merit.

it’s been 15 years since a rock band has won Eurovision

M?neskin, a quartet launched by X Factor Italy, earned their Eurovision spot by winning the 71st edition of the Sanremo Music Festival. It’s been 15 years since a rock band has won Eurovision, but the band’s rehearsal performances have clearly caught the eye of sportsbook operators.

Sky Bet, Paddy Power, and William Hill have all tipped the country to take victory this year at odds of 5/2.

2. France

Act: Barbara Pravi

Song: Voilà

To Win Outright (Betsson): 7/2

France is one of Eurovision’s most successful countries, having won the competition five times, placed second four times, and finished third on seven occasions. Now, the country will be hoping Barbara Pravi can seal its first win since 1977 with her song Voilà.

she won the Eurovision France national final from a field of 12 acts

Paris-born singer Pravi penned the song that won France its first Junior Eurovision victory last year. In January, she won the Eurovision France national final out of a field of 12 acts to secure her place in this year’s event in Rotterdam.

Sportsbooks had France the favorite to win the competition prior to the rehearsals last week. Although Pravi has since lost her top spot to Italy’s M?neskin, she is still the second-favorite to take home the win. Betsson and bwin both have the French entry priced at 7/2, while Paddy Power and William Hill are offering 11/4 odds.

3. Malta

Act: Destiny

Song: Je Me Casse

To Qualify (Paddy Power): 1/100

To Win Outright (Paddy Power): 5/1

Malta is the first of the top five favorites which will still have to qualify for the final in order to compete. Sportsbook operators clearly aren’t expecting Maltese entry Destiny Chukunyere to struggle in that regard, though, pricing her at 1/100 to make it to the final.

With themes of feminism and female empowerment, Destiny’s upbeat Je Me Casse has been one of the favorites for the win since its release, priced at 7/2 last month. Since rehearsals, Malta’s odds have lengthened slightly, but still remain at 5/1 with Paddy Power and Bet365.

4. Iceland

Act: Daei og Gagnamagnie

Song: 10 Years

To Qualify (Bet365): 1/33

To Win Outright (Bet365): 9/1

Iceland’s Daei Freyr and his group Gagnamagnie won the country’s national final S?ngvakeppnin with their hit single Think About Things in 2020. They were due to head to Rotterdam for last year’s Eurovision as one of the favorites before the event’s cancelation.

an upbeat disco tune placed among the favorites

Icelandic broadcaster RUV has permitted the group to return for 2021 with a new song. Much like its predecessor, 10 Years is an upbeat disco tune placed among the favorites.

Bet365 has priced Iceland at 1/33 to qualify for the final, while Paddy Power has them at 1/25. To win the competition outright, most sportsbooks are offering 9/1 to 10/1, including Bet365, Paddy Power, and Sky Bet. bwin, meanwhile, has Iceland at 11/1 to take the win, behind Cyprus.

5. Cyprus

Act: Elena Tsagrinou

Song: El Diablo

To Qualify (Paddy Power): 1/100

To Win Outright (Sky Bet): 10/1

Elena Tsagrinou is leading Cyprus’s hopes for the Eurovision title this year. The Athenian-born 26-year-old artist made it to the semi-finals of Greece’s Got Talent when she was just 14 years old and has released a string of singles since 2018.

Sportsbooks have struggled to separate Cyprus and Iceland this year, with some actually favoriting Tsagrinou over Daei og Gagnamagnie. bwin and William Hill have priced the Cypriot at 10/1 and 8/1, respectively. Meanwhile, SkyBet, Bet365, and Betsson all placed the Cyprus entry as the fifth-favorite with odds ranging from 10/1 to 11/1.

Other notable mentions

Switzerland’s odds have shortened dramatically in recent weeks. The country hosted and won the very first contest in 1956, and its residents will be hoping Gjon Muharremaj can seal the win again with emotional ballad Tout l’univers. William Hill, Bet365, and Paddy Power all have the country priced at 14/1

BWin is offering odds of 14/1 for the Bulgarians to claim victory

Bulgaria has also secured a place among the favorites to win the competition. Performing as VICTORIA, Victoria Georgieva has entered her song Growing Up Is Getting Old. bwin is offering odds of 14/1 for the Bulgarians to claim victory, while Betsson has them slightly shorter at 12/1.?

Odds for some other countries have drifted dramatically over the past month. Sportsbooks are now offering odds of around 150/1 for Norway to win the competition, having priced the country at 25/1 last month. Meanwhile, usual favorites Sweden have slipped form around 16/1 to 75/1.