Sergey Lazarev might have slipped in the overall odds to win Eurovision 2016, but in his semi final, he’s still top of the pack. We’ve now seen all eighteen acts perform their songs for the first time on the stage in Stockholm. Naturally, the bookmakers have reacted to the rumours and gossip of the first two days of rehearsals at Eurovision. Using the oddschecker.com website, here’s what the standings look like:
Eurovision 2016: Semi Final 1 Odds (To Win)
As of 17:00 CET, May 4th 2016
Place your bet with Betfair now
Russia continue to lead the way, with Sergey Lazarev’s popularity clearly something that the bookmakers don’t want to doubt. He might not have been 100% perfect when it came to his performance on Monday, but we have little doubt that he’ll bounce back come the second rehearsals. This is still the song to beat this year and it looks like it’ll take a lot for Russia to not win this semi final.
In fact, despite Russia’s problems and the positive response to her rehearsal, Armenia’s Iveta Mukuchyan has fallen further back since our last update. She’s now 5/1 in second place, having previously been 4/1 to win the semi final. Similarly, Malta’s Ira Losco has fallen back too, with 15/1 now being the odds for a Maltese semi-final victory..
The big gainer from the first rehearsals seems to be the Czech Republic, with Gabriela Guncikova’s vocals having stunned many and helped her to rise in to 4th place in the odds. Could the country finally make it in to the final?
Eurovision 2016: Semi Final 1 Odds (To Qualify)
As of 17:00 CET, May 4th 2016
Place your bet on Betfair now
The qualification odds mostly match the “to win” market. Much as they have risen in the “to win” market, the Czech Republic’s odds have shortened massively over the past 24 hours and the bookmakers now seem very confident that they will qualify. Croatia, on the other hand, have slipped and are now only the eighth favourite to qualify – a cause for concern for Nina Kraljic?
The ten countries that the bookmakers believe will qualify are, in order of likelihood: Russia, Armenia, Malta, Czech Republic, The Netherlands, Cyprus, Azerbaijan, Croatia, Hungary and Iceland.
That means that the bookies think that Estonia, Bosnia, Austria, Greece, Finland, Moldova, San Marino and Montenegro will not make it to the final on Saturday night. Could we really see Greece and Bosnia fail to qualify for the first time in their histories?
What do you think about the odds and how they’re shaping up after the first rehearsals? Let us know in the comments section below or via our Twitter page. We’ll be back on Friday with an update on the odds after all eighteen rehearsals from semi-final 2 have been completed.
I pretty much agree with the odds, if it goes like this I would be happy. I just would switch Hungary and Iceland with Estonia and Austria.
It would be a pity to see Greece and Bosnia not qualifying for the first time indeed, but on the other hand it would be great to see Czech Rep. do it, also for the first time!
Charles, you’re assuming too much
be cool vote for malta
malta ira losco the best
what are yout talking about, Estonia is fantastic this yeas and will go to the final for sure! im afraid about Samra, I actually love her but her rehearslag wasnt that good, she isnt to good live. also iceland cannot qualify.
@Oxana: And if you bother to stay that musically serious and committed for as many years to come, we would all appreciate cuz this is a song contest still … all the bs needs to got to the rubbish bin. Having some respect for music says a lot about who you are. @power b.: Get ready to see him fall from his fake LED iceberg stairs again … or whatever park child’s playground crap he’s bringing to the stage … My popcorns are ready for the comedy moment 🙂 @georgekirkas: And for the second time around (be patient Charles, some… Read more »
I don’t understand Greek song concept. it’s too messy for hip-hop. I’m not sure what they tried to achieve, but the song style should be shifted to something more clean. I guess that will be on of the rare years when Greek song will get very little votes from outside of their neighbor bubble.
@Charles, I doubt we wanted to score a victory with Verka. it came as a big surprise that she crawled to top 5. we had no intention to host ESC that year and also when our ironical Loboda missed stripe bar and appeared on stage with not very serious song. “baby, I can save your world, I’m your anti crisis girl” 🙂 ahaha, is there anyone who considered it a song for a contest? it’s been Verka #2. but we’re serious now with Jamala, at least for 1 year.
Russia’s second rehearsal tomorrow, get ready to loathe
umm, the planes that keep hovering over NATO ships? I dunno, you tell me why they are always there and also intercepting passanger planes. this is not brainwash, it is annoyed
Redfox
What planes? You are so brainwashed…
2009 esc in Moscow, (without Loreen and Sweden in esc) 2013 esc in Moscow, (again without Måns and Sweden in esc) this year 2016 esc in Moscow and maybe 2017 esc in Moscow. Better?
@georgekirkas
shall we chat some more on the forum 🙂
and about the odds, i can agree with them i think 🙂
@Charles, @whatever
I’m not going to keep chatting with people like you. It’s just not worth it. Learn to accept other people’s opinion! Otherwise, no one is going to tolerate you. And Charles, according to you insulting other people means “expressing your opinion”? If you think that, then you are ridiculous! You have psychological problems and you need to solve them soon, darling!
@Nick: Nobody’s got time for bands trying hard musically wise and understanding their identity (messy is the best adjective for that Utopian rubbish) .. We only got time for those who come here with a convincing song, one that speaks for itself with assurance and meaning. And I repeat a song … not the Circus du Soleil with falling clowns unable to climbs LED fake ice stairs … or whatever fake crap that is.
Too bad if Europe is going to suck up to Russia. I guess they will fly war planes over Swedish borders in celebration, if they win.
But I trust Europe has more sense. Besides, there is nothing more than beat and an over-eager show to this, well, song, if I must say, but really there is no song in the song.
Nina Kralic is a good singer, but her looks and maybe staging can be too strange. Especially if she intends to keep the tent
Iceland is just bloody creepy. She sounds like a psycho
Okay the greek song is so cheesy. So?
Israel 2015? I am not here to beg us for votes.
As a Greek Iam not so proud for utopian Land. However, Argo is not a famous band.They tried hard. They really tried. They worked for the best result.
@Oxana: The simple fact that you said, quote, “Verka is not a singer. she’s comedian” just proved me right. Whatever Verka does in her own stand-up shows is her own thing that I couldn’t care less … but bringing it to Eurovision to MOCK it and still want to win it … was pathetic (and thank God she didn’t). Makes no sense but with acts like Verka … what else could we expect. Desperation is the one thing that clearly trademarks Russia … but Ukraine has learned better and what is the point of mocking Eurovision when you have Jamala… Read more »
@ georgekirkas,
The only thing what is boring and repetitive is you.
Slow down is at least real music and I will vote for it.
And if you don’t like the song well that’s up to you of course, but to hear it over and over again, pffffff, who is boring and repetitive then.
But hey,….taste is something you can’t buy.
….bye !
Greece should not qualify this year because their song is one of the worst this year. I know that for some strange reasons Greece always qualify, but this year that should not be the case. It would be a shame if Greece qualify and it will make Eurovision a ridiculous contest.
Armenia, Russia and Malta. Where is the logic that Malta has more chance in the final than in the semifinal and Armenia just the opposite? Where is the logic? It’s a political contest which means bookies hope that Malta may have more votes from juries in the final than in the sem. Russia is too overrated, guys tho. Don’t wanna annoy you but I really hate this song now. I like the Greek song more now than the Russian trash. This is so dated.
Sure qualifiers are Russia, Armenia and Malta. Hungary, Azerbaijan and Iceland will probably qualify aswell.
And I think Greece/Cyprus [I think only one of them will qualify, but I’m not sure sure which] (televote), Estonia (juries/televote), Netherlands (juries) and either Bosnia (televote) and Croatia (juries) could complete the list. (I’ll be honest, and say that Austria and CZ have small chances to qualify)
Im sure NL will qualify. Douwe Bob sounds like the cd version, the act looks pretty classy aswell. Mark my words: this is a sure qualifier!!
Croatia will qualify aswell. Nina is a strong vocalist. Her hideous outfit wont stop from qualifying. Czech rep will also qualify and im so happy for them 🙂
Imho Armenia is overrated. The act might be fantastic, the song is too difficult to win the contest. Ofcourse it will qualify.
Greece or Azerbaijan will fail this year.
Russia is the only one sure qualifier. Hungary and Azerbaijan should qualify in my opinion.
I don’t expect Bosnia & Herzegovina, Greece, San Marino and Montenegro to qualify.
Hi!
Here in Greece we love Netherlands! So different song ! <3
Also Czech and Armeniaaaa
Expecting Russia, Armenia, Czech Republic, Hungary, the Netherlands, Malta, Estonia, Iceland, Cyprus and Bosnia to qualify.
Austria and Estonia might qualify instead of Cyprus and The Netherlands, or even Armenia, Malta or Czech Republic.
@Charles, Verka is not a singer. she’s comedian and often a headliner of humor festivals because of her mocking songs. Counting numbers and having “fancy hi fashion outfit” while doing strange moves is the concept to mock the whole competition where any good looking rubbish with dull song can win. and actually by getting #2 she proved it just alright. But no one took it as a message, and it’s kinda funny how every year people promote weak songs like it’s something godly. I think countries should send their trolls every year till audience will learn the meaning of song… Read more »
Yes, I think at least 8 of the 10 they predict will actually qualify.
I still think Greece may get into the final.
I think Croatia may be this year’s Mei Finegold, and I’m not too certain The Netherlands is a guarantee either.
However, overall, I think they have it right.
@Daan
If you want to know, Israel isn’t even in my top 20 this year! I am just saying that I really like the song. I am respecting your opinion about Israel and you should do the same about my dislike for the Dutch song, but I guess you belong to the same category with Charles, right?
Anyway, I like the Greek entry and dislike the Armenian and Bosnian ones, so I hope those two won’t qualify, and seeing how Azerbadjzan failed to deliver, I kinda hope they wont either. It would make this year already interresting for sure.
my qualifiers: Netherlands Russia Czech Republic, Greece, Cyprus, Austria, Iceland, Hungary, Finland and I guess San Marino or Malta or Moldova.
@Charles
You are the one who says that people should have the same musical taste with you, I just said what I DON’T EXPECT people to vote for The Netherlands next week! You could say that you disagree with me and that’s it. Instead, though, you are so pathetic that you felt the need to jibe me. You should respect other people’s taste and opinion but I guess that your parents didn’t tell you to do that, right?
I meant it is possible for Bosnia to miss out at the beggining, sorry, didn’t make it clear enough. 🙂
For the first time, Greece and Bosnia will probably miss out, but possibly the same goes for Azerbaijan, thought they are more likely to qualify despite her awful vocals. Countries that are the (near) definate qualifiers are: Russia (duh), Armenia, Netherlands, Croatia, Malta, Iceland, Cyprus and Hungary I think. That leaves Czech Republic, Austria, Estonia, Bosnia, Greece, Finland, Moldova, San Marino, Montenegro, Azerbaijan. Out of these, the most likely are: Czech Republic, Azerbaijan, Austria, Estonia and Bosnia. Vocally, Azerbaijan is the worst and performance wise, Estonia is the worst. That leaves the other 3, which is a big toss up.… Read more »
OR,.. or Georgekirkas, or Gal ( just use one account seriously) We get it, you like that israeli song. But hey, since you find democracy so important. I guess I can say I really couldn’t care about Israel, its song or its drama queen singer and that its in my bottom 5. And calling the Dutch song repetitive? Giggle.At least he isnt going to Eurovision with a second handed song eh. 😉 Work on your additude, you aren;’t doing israel or hovi any favours with your constant israeli spam.
@georgekirkas: You just made my point every more significant than before … so thanks for that. Democracy though does not mean “people should have my music taste” … be careful about that. Learning a bit about music and having a more proper musical education would do you good. It would at least put on a better light … give it a try unless your feet are meant to be stuck in crepitude mud. And honey, if every time someone shares their opinion to you and you feel it’s as an attack … remind me to give you a bug killer… Read more »
Even though malta’s odds have slightly widened in the semifinal (but it’s still third) – they have surpassed Sweden and are 4th favourite to win now.
I don’t know what I predict to happen, but what I want to happen is a different story. My qualifiers are Iceland, Croatia, Hungary, Malta, Azerbaijan, Russia, Armenia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, and Estonia in that order.
Azerbaijan is still in the top 10, I’m happy about it. Theres’s no need to write them off because of one bad rehearsal. To everyone saying they will fail, STFU. Croatia won’t qualify, mark my words.
@Charles Why are you attacking me? Did I say something bad? We have democracy, you know! I just expressed my opinion and I have the right to do that, you can’t deny it and no one can. I said that I don’t like “Slow Down” and I don’t think it will do well. If you want to know, I will support my opinion till the end. And yeah, I prefer some dated pop songs like “Falling Stars”. At least they are entertaining, unlike this overrated, boring and repetitive piece of crap from The Netherlands. “Falling Stars” is like 1000 times… Read more »
@georgekirkas: Because people only like the same crap you like? Just to make sure of how 100% certain you are of what millions of home viewers will vote for next week … or are you naive enough to think everybody has your music taste? This is not 2007 and there are no more rubbish drag queens counting numbers in German for no reason. Or an almost-naked Greek male singer breathing sounds instead of properly singing while jumping over a giant stapler and silently asking every man in the audience “vote for me because you can’t resist my sex appeal”.
I wonder how much is being paid for the LED-over-the-top-desperate-falling-on-stage-guy to be the “favourite”? There has got to be a lucrative business going on for such a mess on stage and a mess of a song …
I have a fellings that Croatia will miss the Grand Final..Azerbaijan also..Maybe Greece and Estonia replace them.
I believe they usually get one wrong?. Maybe Netherlands will exchange Estonia and/or Azerbaijan will switch with Bosnia/Greece.
Azerbaijan is borderline, so either Greece or Bosnia will qualify.
I do not get the fuss about Hungary, it’s overrated. Same for Armenia.
I missed Czech Republic in previous comment, so it should be 5 countries competing for 1 qualification..
My predictions…
Russia
The Netherlands
Iceland
Armenia
Hungary
Austria
Malta
Croatia
The last 2 will be either two of these countries
Azerbaijan, Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina,Cyprus and Estonia
I think the qualifiers will be:
– Iceland
– Russia
– Armenia
– Estonia
– Croatia
– Czech Republic
– Malta
– Hungary
– Netherlands
– Austria
Croatia, Azerbaijan and probably Cyprus will be the biggest upset, and we’ll see Estonia and Austria qualifying, so thrilled about it. Also happy for Czechia despite I don’t like its song for finally reaching the final. Watch out for Greece.
All the hype about Armenia is gone 🙂