The list of Melodifestivalen 2018 artists has only been out for a few hours, but the bookmakers at UNIBET have already drafted their first set of odds to win — and they’ve got two returnees at the top of the pile.

As of 16:00 GMT on 28 November, two-time participant Mariette is the favourite to win with her song “For You”, which she described to us as a “groovy mid-uptempo song”. She’s currently the front-runner with odds of 4.00.

Within the Melfest fandom she’s perhaps the most high-profile returnee, having finished third on her debut in 2015 and fourth last year. She’s also got lots of support from within Eurovision circles, as she won the OGAE Second Chance Contest earlier this year, having initially been put forth by the members of OGAE Sweden. Will they show up to vote for her this spring?

The bookies’ second favourite to win on this first day of analysis is Benjamin Ingrosso, who made his competitive debut last year with the song “Good Lovin'”.

He came fifth last year, just behind Mariette, and is riding a wave of momentum following the success of his most recent single “One More Time”.

In recent weeks, Aftonbladet reported that his participation was dependent on him finding the right song, so we can rest assured that “Dance You Off” fits him to a T.

He’s currently down in second with odds of 6.50.

Singer and rapper Liam Cacatian Thomassen — who performs as Liamoo — was the winner of the 2016 edition of Swedish Idol.

His debut single “Playing with Fire” reached No.6 in the Swedish charts. Earlier this year he released another flame-related single, “Burn”.

He’s currently joint second favourite alongside Benjamin and the highest-rated of all the debutants in the competition. The bookies have their ear to the ground and clearly there is chatter around this one.

Dotter, who co-wrote Mariette’s song “A Million Years” in 2017,  is currently third favourite with odds of 10.00, followed by Jessica Andersson at 12.00.

Jessica is a six-time Melodifestivalen veteran. In 2003 she performed at Eurovision as part of Fame, who placed fifth in Riga with “Give Me Your Love”. (There’s also a massive portrait of her hanging in my home office).

She’s joint fifth favourite with Norwegian DJ Kampferdrops, who also has odds of 12.00.

Melodifestivalen 2018: Betting odds

  • Mariette 4.00
  • Benjamin Ingrosso 6.50
  • Liamoo 6.50
  • Dotter 10.00
  • Jessica Andersson 12.00
  • Kamferdrops 12.00
  • Samir och Viktor 14.00
  • Sigrid Bernson 16.00
  • Margaret 16.00
  • Olivia Eliasson 21.00
  • Emmi Christensson 21.00
  • Felicia Olsson 21.00
  • Mimi Werner 21.00
  • Martin Almgren 26.00
  • Ida Redig 26.00
  • Renaida Braun 26.00
  • Jonas Gardell 31.00
  • Moncho 36.00
  • Kalle Moraeus 36.00
  • John Lundvik 36.00
  • Elias Abbas 41.00
  • Kikki Danielsson 41.00
  • Rolandz 41.00
  • Barbie Escobar 51.00
  • Felix Sandman 51.00
  • Mendez 51.00
  • Edward Blom 51.00
  • Stiko Per Larsson 51.00

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Boy
Boy
6 years ago

I hope Benjamin Ingrosso not gona Win. I dont like him

Milla
Milla
6 years ago

I have no idea why Ingrosso is second.. I like Liam though, his voice is much more pleasant and his style is not a “spoiled brat”.

Benito Bonito
Benito Bonito
6 years ago

Is Mariette black? I don’t know, maybe she has black relatives. I’m just surprised that nobody is accusing her of cultural appropriation, with that hairstyle. I don’t think cultural appropriation is a thing, so I’m not accusing her, but I’m just noticing that is a little double standard. Not everybody can get away with this style.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  Benito Bonito

Leave that in America, this is Europe bee-awtch!

Benito Bonito
Benito Bonito
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

I’m from Eastern Europe, and I don’t think cultural appropriation is a bad thing. I’ve said in my comment that Mariette is doing nothing wrong from my point of view, but that is just surprising she gets a pass from PC ”police”.

The Queen
The Queen
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

cultural appropriation is still cultural…ect. however i think there are swedish origins

Mattias Sollerman
Mattias Sollerman
6 years ago
Reply to  Benito Bonito

She has been criticized for cultural appropriation. Can link to a Swedish article if you want.

jim
jim
6 years ago
Reply to  Benito Bonito

i dont know why she even has this haricut, it doesnt look good on her anyway

blondboybc
blondboybc
6 years ago

Betting odds don’t mean much at this point…it’s just gossip fodder. Similarly, can see why Margaret is not so high…she could do a Lorreen and not even qualify to final. Sure, she sounds great in studio, but in real life? Meh. Not impressed. Christer’s attempt to get more Melfest ratings? 😉

Mark
Mark
6 years ago

So, I’ve been following Melodifestivalen for a few years now and the past few years it’s been easier to ‘get into’ because there were so many familiar faces. This year not the case. I’m all for new talent, but there might be far too many ‘unknowns’ for my liking.

Denis
Denis
6 years ago

I think these three will be contenders. And add Dotter there too who might surprise.Watch out for them, major hit potentials. It would be nice if a woman won it, it’s been male artists these past three years. Would freshen things up a bit..

brunowskii
brunowskii
6 years ago

Mariette!!!! For 2017, in 2018

Mark
Mark
6 years ago
Reply to  brunowskii

It almost seems as if they made the contestant list round her winning.

Vanessa
Vanessa
6 years ago

I strongly believe that with the right song Liam is going to win this for us

bartos
bartos
6 years ago

I think that making bets so early is pointless. As for now, we know nothing about the songs.
Still, hope to hear great entry from Dotter – I really like her other singles. It’ll also be interesting to see Margaret in MF, that was unexpected

rasmus
rasmus
6 years ago

In Sweden the press complains AGAIN where the big names are like they do every year so same old here. And the AGAIN 4 million watches it in february. The press here are never pleased. Sad… .They think Sara Larsson or Per Gessle would compete.

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  rasmus

I can’t wait for Veronica Maggio’s debut, she’s super talented and original. But she needs to flop first in order to consider Melfest, and I do not wish her to flop, ever.

rasmus
rasmus
6 years ago

You can flop in mellfest and still be sucessful, you know that right? Melfest is more for people who want compete. Veronica Maggio will be in it one day. They always are after first they say no 15 times. Jonas Garedell this year said 7 no before a yes this year.

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  rasmus

What I mean is that Veronica Maggio is too successful in the Swedish market (and not pop enough) to consider Melfest, which is more like Sanremo in Italy–a show for acts who need exposure, basically. That’s why you won’t see Alessandra Amoroso or Tiziano Ferro at Sanremo, their albums go multi-platinum without it anyway.

Åsa
Åsa
6 years ago

I don’t think that the Swedish press expect artists like Veronica Maggio to compete in Melfest now (perhaps in 2030 or something like that). I think they expected some of the wellknown artists who already competed in Melodifestivalen before, like for instance Sanna Nielsen, Carola, Pernilla Wahlgren, Danny Saucedo, Jon Henrik Fjällgren, Ace Wilder, Dinah Nah, Helena Paparizou, Anton Ewald, Eric Saade, Molly Sandén, Måns Zelmerlöw, Peter Jöback, Roger Pontare, Ulrik Munther, Darin, Alcazar, Charlotte Perelli, Jill Johansen, Lena Philipsson, Amy Diamond, Nanne Grönvall, Andreas Johnson, Linda Bengtzing, Marie Serneholt, Shirley Clamp, Timoteij, Yohio, Panetoz, Oscar Zia, Wiktoria, Alice, Lisa… Read more »

Mark
Mark
6 years ago
Reply to  rasmus

I find Melfest easier to get into when there are more familiar faces.

D
D
6 years ago

Frans proved in 2016 that none of these odds matter right now. Also, typically the big favorite at the beginning doesn’t go on to win, so I’m not thinking Mariette will do it just yet.

Mark
Mark
6 years ago
Reply to  D

2016 was the year the audience dropped acid or something because Frans’ song was dreadful.

D
D
6 years ago
Reply to  Mark

Just because a song isn’t your taste doesn’t mean it’s terrible. Frans’s song reached the top five in Eurovision, and charted throughout all of Europe so definitely some people like it.

Christine Bjorkwoman
Christine Bjorkwoman
6 years ago

A woman will never win Melfest with app voting. Mariette has zero chance.

Tirano
Tirano
6 years ago

Why Felix Sandman has so low score?

rasmus
rasmus
6 years ago
Reply to  Tirano

Because he dont sing good live when he is by him self.

Mark
Mark
6 years ago
Reply to  Tirano

No one cares about vocals though. If that were true, France Gall wouldn’t have won Eurovision back in 1965.

Felix was the only looker in that group last year.

Zebb
Zebb
6 years ago

I feel like it’s better for Ingrosso to run a band so they’ll hide his vocals a bit but still will let his other abilities to shine.
I mean it was natural for me to dislike his vocals for GL, but later he has shot a 3-pack of fine pop yet his personality is shinier than those top-3 finishers together.

Mark
Mark
6 years ago
Reply to  Zebb

He just needs to wear long sleeves, otherwise I can’t stop looking at his arm hair.

KESC
KESC
6 years ago

Mariette was underrated last year. A million years was so much better than I Can’t Go On.
I’m rooting for Mariette or Margaret this year.
Sweden has to send a woman again.

ImFromRomania
ImFromRomania
6 years ago

The new odds at 20:09 CET

Mariette 5.00

Benjamin Ingrosso 6.50

Liamoo 6.50

Dotter 8.00

Jessica Andersson 12.00

Kamferdrops 12.00

Margaret 12.00

Samir och Viktor 14.00

Felicia Olsson 14.00

Oliva Eliasson 14.00

James
James
6 years ago
Reply to  ImFromRomania

Barely a day since the line-up reveal, and there are people making bets now?

I will never understand. lol

West
West
6 years ago
Reply to  James

People like betting. It’s fun to guess.

Wwqz
Wwqz
6 years ago

My favorites: Mariette & Ida Redig

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

nn those betting odds mean absolutely nothing now. Wasn’t Benjamin Ingrosso the favorite until his song was revealed last year?

Ugnius
Ugnius
6 years ago

Loreen was favourite as well 😀

Oscar Tipper
Oscar Tipper
6 years ago

Do you think you could do an article on the list of artists that were rumoured to appear compared to the ones that were actually confirmed in the end?

Sandra
Sandra
6 years ago

Go Mariette. I’m so excited for her.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

I say Felicia will win, even though I don’t know anything about her.

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
6 years ago

My first bets are on liamoo and emmi christensson altough it’s kinda pointless without hearing the songs first xD