Two years after Dutchman Duncan Laurence won the last competition, Eurovision finally returns next month when there will be a mix of live and recorded performances at the host venue in Rotterdam.

Last year’s event was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, but the Dutch government has allowed 3,500 eager fans to watch the acts at the Ahoy Arena so long as Covid-19 numbers do not start to rise.

Many of the artists will compete for their country again, but per the rules they have had to write a new composition like the UK’s James Newman, older brother of John Newman, whose song ‘Embers’ is 250/1 in the Eurovision betting to spring a major shock. 

The ESC is exactly what the world needs right now, so we’ve taken a look at the top 10 in the Eurovision odds and their chances of success.  

Where is the Eurovision Song Contest?

Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands

When is the Eurovision Song Contest?

Semi-final 1 – May 18
Semi-final 2 – May 20
Final – May 22

Malta

Performer: Destiny

Song: Je Me Casse

Eurovision odds: 4/1

Previous wins: None

The 18-year-old daughter of former Nigeria football international (OK, one appearance) Ndubisi Chukunyere is the early favourite in the Eurovision betting to give Malta its first ever victory.

A backing vocalist for Michela’s Eurovision song Chameleon two years ago, Destiny has stepped up to the plate in a leading role with electro-swing track ‘Je Me Casse’ which bears a passing resemblance to the attitude and sound of 2018 winner ‘Toy’.   

The 2015 Junior Eurovision champion appeared on Britain’s Got Talent four years ago when Simon Cowell said: “Your talent, your voice is exceptional.”

Chances: A powerful voice with a message could go all the way.

Malta to win4/1

Switzerland

Performer: Gjon’s Tears

Song: Tout l’Univers

Eurovision odds: 19/4

Previous wins: (1956, 1988)

Gjon Muharremaj, aka Gjon’s Tears, is bidding to repeat Celine Dion’s triumph from the late 1980s and his haunting piano-based song Tout l’Univers certainly stands out.

The 22-year-old son of a Kosovan father and Albanian mother missed out with last year’s Repondez-Moi but has returned with an even better track which has the wow factor to influence judges and the public.

Chances: Gjon’s falsetto voice is outstanding, the song is excellent and it would be a surprise if he doesn’t make the top three.

Switzerland to win19/4

France

Performer: Barbara Pravi

Song: Voila

Eurovision odds: 19/4

Previous wins: (1958. 1960, 1962, 1969, 1977)

Unfortunately Tom Leeb never got the chance to showcase last year’s ‘Mon Alliee’ and with France organising a new qualification process, it was Barbara Pravi that won the hearts of the jury and the nation with ‘Voila’, a song that doffs its cap to Edith Piaf and Jacques Brel.

Interestingly, the 28-year-old chanteuse, has written songs for 1983 French Open tennis champion Yannick Noah amongst others and she is also an actress and artist, so she has many strings to her bow.

Chances: Very likeable song with a music-hall quality which may lack universal appeal, but deserves to be among the favourites.

France to win19/4

Italy

Performer: Maneskin

Song: Zitti e buoni

Eurovision odds: 10/1

Previous wins: (1964, 1990)

Italy finished runner-up in 2019 with Mahmood’s Soldi and two years later Roman outfit Maneskin have been given the responsibility of bringing a first win for Italy in more than 30 years with this funk-rock number.

Incredibly, Italy have only once been outside the top 20 in 45 appearances and they have been in the top 10 on 15 occasions in the last 19 events, so they are clearly doing something right and may go all the way at 10/1 in the Eurovision betting.

Maneskin’s image has changed dramatically since their 2017 X Factor Italia aapearance and surprisingly all four of them cite Harry Styles as a major influence, but the One Direction singer is nowhere to be seen in this track. 

Chances: A bit too rocky for Eurovision, but you never know.

Italy to win10/1

Sweden

Performer: Tusse

Song: Voices

Eurovision odds: 12/1

Previous wins: (1974, 1984, 1991, 1999, 2012, 2015)

Only Ireland have won this contest more times than Sweden who have dominated the competition in the last 10 years with two wins and five top-fives, but can they make it seven victories with this upbeat song? 

The teenager, who fled the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo as a 13-year-old boy and settled in Sweden, qualified for Eurovision by a landslide against some tough opposition.

Chances: Bound to be a big hit with the LGBT community and may challenge for top honours.

Sweden to win12/1

Bulgaria

Performer: Victoria

Song: Growing Up Is Getting Old

Eurovision odds: 12/1

Previous wins: None

The 23-year-old animal lover and tattoo obsessive has been given a second chance to fly the flag for Bulgaria who also withdrew from the 2019 version for financial reasons.

Victoria’s 2020 entry ‘Tears Getting Sober’ was an emotional symphonic track that owed a lot to Billie Eilish, and Growing Up Is Getting Old is on similar lines.

Chances: Wonderful heart-tugging song taken from her EP ‘A Little Dramatic’ which deserves to be heard by such a wide audience.

Bulgaria to win12/1

Norway

Performer: TIX

Song: Fallen Angel

Eurovision odds: 16/1

Previous wins: (1985, 1995, 2009)

An outlandish video accompanies a standard bit of camp Euro fluff from Andreas Haukeland who smashed the Melodi Grand Prix by 100,000 votes to qualify for Eurovision.

The name TIX comes from the fact he has Tourette’s Syndrome which prompts him to wear sunglasses to avoid displaying involuntary movements he experiences with his eyes.

Chances: Norway have been winning this competition every 10 years or so since the mid-80s and this could keep the run going.

Norway to win16/1

Cyprus

Performer: Elena Tsagrinou

Song: El Diablo

Eurovision odds: 16/1

Previous wins: None

Despite representing Cyprus, Elena is actually Greek and owns a dog called Poo, but will she cause a stink in the Eurovision betting?

Cyprus were runners-up in 2018 and they have been in the top 25 for the last five years, so this high-energy dance track could do well.

Chances: Standard stuff but will appeal to some.

Cyprus to win18/1

Lithuania

Performer: The Roop

Song: Discoteque

Eurovision odds: 16/1

Previous wins: (1985. 1995, 2009)

Lithuania have finished inside the top 12 in their last two appearances at the final stage, but The Roop aren’t taking themselves too seriously.

A mixture of Justin Timberlake, Kraftwerk and Right Said Fred, Discoteque is a song about feeling positive about entering your thirties, even though lead singer Vaidotas Valiukevičius will turn 40 next month.

Valiukevičius said: “People in their thirties already feel untimely aged and hopeless. I believe this is not normal. I faced such thoughts myself, but I strived to change my approach to things, put more energy into my activities than I did when I was 20.

“With this song, I wish to send my listeners confidence and good vibes. We are all capable of being who we want when we want, and age is not important.”

Chances: Top 10 a possibility.

Lithuania to win20/1

Iceland

Performer: Dadi og Gagnamagnio

Song: 10 years

Eurovision odds: 22/1

Previous wins: None

There is more than a touch of Daft Punk’s Get Lucky about ‘10 Years’ which is one of the dark horses at 22/1 in the Eurovision betting odds. 

Last year’s ‘Think About Things’ was a pop gem and the accompanying video was great fun, so it was slightly alarming to hear this one start with sorrowful strings but that soon ends and the result is another classic from this nerdy bunch of misfits.

Chances: Of the up-tempo songs, this is the winner.

Iceland to win22/1

United Kingdom

Performer: James Newman

Song: Embers

Eurovision odds: 250/1

Previous wins: (1967, 1969, 1976, 1981, 1997)

Last year’s ‘My Last Breath’ was barely acceptable but Newman’s latest piece is nothing short of atrocious.

The Eurovision odds don’t quite reflect how bad this song is and he’ll be lucky to avoid nil points.

Chances: We haven’t heard all the songs but will be surprised if this tosh finishes outside the bottom three.

United Kingdom to win250/1

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