Eurovision Semi-Final 2

Cyprus, Serbia, Croatia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Slovenia, Portugal, Luxembourg, Finland and, for the first time in six years, Ireland, have already joined the ‘Big Five” and hosts Sweden in Saturday’s Grand Final.

16 countries are in action tonight, but there only 10 more places up for grabs in Saturday’s showpiece, so who will make the cut?

Eurovision Predictions for Semi-Final 2

The Netherlands are widely tipped to do well in the competition as a whole, and indication of that expectation is their placing as the final act to perform in Thursday’s semi. Joost Klein is the artist in question, and his track ‘Europapa’ has garnered rave reviews for its 90s feel.

It’s already racked up a staggering 23 million hits on Eurovision’s YouTube channel - significantly more than anyone else. At 25/1 to win the whole thing (BetMGM) Klein looks a real steal - he’s racked up 20% of bets placed in the overall winner market.

Next in line are Switzerland, represented by Nemo with ‘The Code’. They’re also hotly tipped to do well, with the track hitting 22nd in the Swiss charts. 

Nemo is 4/1 to be the Semi-Final 2 winner, 1/5 for a Top 3 finish and second favourite behind Croatia to win the whole thing at 7/2 (Ladbrokes).

With 14 other countries to pick from, the market here is really awash with options with the Not to Qualify providing some intriguing odds. 

There were a few shocks in Tuesday’s semi, so there’s bound to be some here. 

Eurovision Tips for Semi-Final 2

Israel come into this semi-final off the back of obvious controversy. Eden Golan’s song ‘Hurricane’ has done little to detract from said controversy, and is inspired by an Israeli POV of the 2023 Hamas-led attacks in Gaza. 

Golan was forced into a number of rewrites - and calls for exclusion - but remains in the competition. She is 13/2 (BetMGM) not to qualify whilst also being as short as 11/2 to win the Semi-Final (best 8/1 on Paddy Power).

Alongside a bet on Netherlands to win Saturday’s final, I’d put my money on the above 13/2 - Eurovision is known for its political voting after all. Israel are among the most backed not to qualify from Semi-Final 2 through oddschecker alongside Armenia and Estonia.