Riga, London, Tel Aviv — the Czech Republic’s Mikolas Josef has visited all of them as part of his Eurovision promo tour. And it seems that the extra exposure — and the chance to show off his live vocals — has paid off with the bookies, as the “Lie to Me” singer has finally passed Estonia’s Elina to become second favourite in the Eurovision 2018 betting odds.

Mikolas, who recently signed with Sony Music worldwide, is riding on a high following stellar performances around Europe. A number of betting agencies now have him listed in blue — aka, he’s narrowing. Marathon Bet have moved him from 19/2 on March 18 to 6/1 today. All in all it’s enough to have pushed him past Estonia’s Elina — one of the few Eurovision 2018 artists who won’t be performing at any of the major preview events. That means Mikolas is now the second favourite to win it all.

We asked him about the growing hype with the bookies during his visit to London last week.  “It’s cool,” he said. “I get this question a lot. The more I think about it, the more happy I actually am about this. I wrote the song, I produced the track and it tells me that people like my baby. It’s motivation for me.”

Elina, meanwhile, has seen her odds widen off the back of the news that Estonia doesn’t yet have the 60,000 euros needed for her stage show. That means she may not be able to perform in her stunning projection dress, which has captivated fans since she performed in one at Estonia Laul.

Her dress and projector were sufficient for the Eesti Laul stage. But she’ll need more projectors if she wants to fill the massive stage in Altice Arena in Lisbon this May.

SkyBet had her down at 7/1 back on March 18, but today have her sitting at 9/1.

Belgium’s Sennek has taken a bit of a tumble with the bookies following her performance at Israel Calling in Tel Aviv.

On March 18 the “A Matter of Time” singer was fourth favourite with her odds as low as 12/1. But following her performance in Israel she’s now ninth favourite with odds as high as 25/1.

We should point out that the Israel Calling event is a very busy one, with acts taking in several days of sightseeing ahead of their performance. The schedule was so busy that some of our interviews with them didn’t take place until 4am in the morning. Given that it’s understandable that some acts may not have performed at their very best. It’s not an excuse, but it’s something to consider. A shaky performance in Israel without fully realised staging doesn’t necessarily give the best indication of how an act will do in Lisbon.

In any case, that performance may explain Belgium’s fall with the bookies.

Bulgaria has moved from fifth favourite to fourth favourite. That may not seem particularly significant, but if you look at their actual odds, you’ll see the bookies have grown much more confident.

On March 18 their odds were between 12/1 and 17/1. But following a solid performance in London their odds have been slashed to between 13/2 and 8/1.

Meditative or monotonous? Existential or tedious? A work of art or just a bit too much? Voice and visuals will clarify these blurred boundaries in Lisbon.

You can see the current betting odds below. If you need advice on how to make sense of it, visit www.bestbettingsites.uk.

Eurovision 2018: Odds to Win the grand final (12 April @ 00:01)

Read more about the Eurovision 2018 betting odds

87 Comments
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Briekimchi
Briekimchi
5 years ago

Newsflash: Songs that are being promoted and performed before the contest are moving up in the odds whilst the song not being performed falls.

Not exactly surprising is it? Out of sight, out of mind.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
5 years ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

100% true.
Still think it is definitely harder to move up if you’re doing nothing rather than the risk of doing something badly.

frysk
frysk
5 years ago

Georgia is moving upwards too, so I’m happy!!!!

Maxime
5 years ago

This year is wide open so the odds don’t mean a lot so far I think…

Anyway, you can give your vote, and say who YOU think should win Eurovision 2018 just here!
https://goo.gl/forms/RLL3t6aIXKtdKd2n2

Si vous êtes français, cliquez sur mon nom 🙂

jordi
jordi
5 years ago

Bulgaria has been already second. Please update

Mr Häggkvist
Mr Häggkvist
5 years ago

As a huge fan of Elina & La Forza… in how many preview events Salvador performed last year? I just don’t think that it will affect her in Lisbon, the only good thing was Netta show that she can perform Toy live and Sennek was can’t perform A Matter of Time as we were expecting… maybe Lie to Me is the fun song that can be 3rd or 4th like Hey Mamma!

Cin
Cin
5 years ago
Reply to  Mr Häggkvist

Actually, both Israel and Belgium didn’t translate well to stage imo. I’ve read somewhere that Sennek couldn’t hear herself while she was singing so maybe that’s why

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
5 years ago
Reply to  Mr Häggkvist

Aye. If I’m not mistaken, Salvador didn’t show up at any of the events. Obviously his medical condition kept him away from the Eurovision tour. But even if he didn’t have a medical situation, we saw what he could do at Festival da Cancao. He needed only to repeat that performance to slay the competition in Kyiv. Whether Elina shows up on tour or not, if her Plan B works out and she does on stage in Lisbon what she did at Eesti Laul, she will be very dangerous… …But beware the other sleeping giant-killers out there. Right now, I’m… Read more »

NickC
NickC
5 years ago

Here is an update on my combined odds+youtube + streams measure. I dare to say the race is between Israel-France-Bulgaria and Australia. One of these 4 should win. 1 Israel 2 France 3 Bulgaria (+2) 4 Australia (-1) 5 Belgium (-1) 6 Sweden 7 Austria 8 Czech Rep (+1) 9 Estonia (-1) 10 Belarus 11 Norway 12 Finland 13 Spain 14 Cyprus 15 Ukraine 16 Greece (+2) 17 Germany (+2) 18 The Netherlands (+2) 19 Azerbaijan (-3) 20 Italy (-3) 21 Portugal 22 Denmark 23 FYR Macedonia 24 Latvia 25 Lithuania 26 UK 27 Switzerland 28 Ireland 29 Poland 30… Read more »

Cliff
Cliff
5 years ago
Reply to  NickC

That’s just about right …ISRAEL…. BULGARIA… FRANCE …AUSTRALIA

Australia has a good singer(who owns the stage) , but a poor generic song

Bulgaria , could actually win ; the singers are harmonious and professional, and the song is dark and atmospheric

France …I want France to win , but I fear it’s too quiet , low key, and not dynamic enough for a winner

ISrael …if she can pull it off on a live stage she can win

JacobHere
JacobHere
5 years ago

1) Don’t pay attention at the impressions from the pre parties to guess the results. They do not affect the result at all. 2) Many eurofans blame countries for not attending pre parties. That’s absolutely wrong. Just consider other facts like money. Estonia can’t even have the staging they want. All artists work their songs and they try a lot with or without these events. 3 ) The Odds are changing a lot because people are not patient. Judging a pre party performance and be sure that it would be the same in May ( Belgium ) does not offer… Read more »

Cin
Cin
5 years ago

Personally I would like Bulgaria to win, I live the whole package: the originality, the voices, the risks they have taken. Very ambitious and impressive. They’ve made something new and sophisticared – almost too good and too sophisticated for eurovision, judging from certain reactions 😉 I would like the ESC to go in that direction, instead of sending the same generic disco songs or ballads year after year. That being said i really like quite a lot of song this year and wouldn’t mind if any of them won instead

mark dowd
mark dowd
5 years ago
Reply to  Cin

I think you make good points. “Generic” ESC songs have not been doing well at Eurovision these last few years….no way could Jamala and Salvador have won in the 1995-2008 era…..we’re in a different era and I think musical “quality” stands more and more chance over novelty….that’s why I favour Bulgaria over Israel.

FFS
FFS
5 years ago

I like the Czech entry over that

anonymous91
anonymous91
5 years ago
Reply to  FFS

K i gave it a few more listens today, it is a catchy song but you must like this sort of music, otherwise it can be annoying

i think this could go or bottom 6 in the final, or fave flop like Gabbani last year 10th

cause i do find it a little too overrated that’s all

Marc
Marc
5 years ago

Rap always do well with televote. Romania and Hungary 5th and 7th last year. Montenegro 4th in 2013 in its semifinal. Greece came 3rd in 2011 Lie to Me is an inoffensive track that just works and people can enjoy (Similar to Hey Mamma). I agree Mikolas is not the strongest performer tho. I think it’s high with bookies because one male singer will finish Top 5 and they think Mikolas is the most likely atm. Also you don’t have to have a vocal challenege song to win Eurovision xd Most of the winners didn’t have special vocals or any… Read more »

Marc
Marc
5 years ago
Reply to  Marc

I talked about some points on your list I think you were a bit wrong.
We have songs from any genre failing xD That’s the magic of Eurovision, no formulas.
Rap does well with televote, that’s a fact. And Lie to Me is not pure Rap anyway, it’s way more Pop.
I know there’s juries xd and I don’t think they will sink this entry. Anyway he won’t win so you can be happy.

Denis
Denis
5 years ago
Reply to  Marc

Mikolas isn’t exactly rap. It’s pop, very current pop. Rap is different and pure rap wouldn’t work.

markdowd
markdowd
5 years ago

This article is already out of date…

BULGARIA now clear second favourite

Joyz
Joyz
5 years ago

On Sennek, I actually just saw a much better recording on YouTube. And I think she did fine for a first performance.. her vocals will likely improve but her stage presence was there. Netta gave an excellent performance!

anonymous91
anonymous91
5 years ago

Czechs should flop and nq, if there is any justice on eurovision

Sander
Sander
5 years ago

Get back to the Middle Ages and hunt some witches, you stupid boy.

Sander
Sander
5 years ago

Oh great, another alpha male who is against equality. Get back to the Middle Ages, you stupid boy.

Darren
Darren
5 years ago

I think both entries are massively overrated this year. Sure, they are good, but we have seen it all before. Opera has been in Eurovision a few times (Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Sweden (poorly) 🙂 ) and the Czech Republic well…it reminds me of Moldova 2015 and just screams sleazefest. However, if Czech Republic do win, it will be a massive achievement for them after years of disasters. Prague would also be an amazing host city. The odds mean nothing yet, it’s way too soonand really, we won’t see a hint of winner until the rehearsals start and for now, I’m… Read more »

Sander
Sander
5 years ago
Reply to  Darren

We have seen every genre in Eurovision by now. Opera has been performed a lot less than other genres e.g. pop or rock. The Czech song is great the first few listenings (which is good for the show itself) but it becomes less fun after you’ve listened 5-6 times. I agree with you on Bulgaria, while others are saying the song didn’t live up to the hype, I think it’s a potential winner! Their vocals are fantastic and the song leaves enough space for a dark and mysterious staging. Both Sofia and Prague would be great host cities, as would… Read more »

Adam
Adam
5 years ago
Reply to  Sander

And?? People will vote for this song after first listening during Eurovision 😀

Roy Moreno
Roy Moreno
5 years ago

Why did she fall because of a dress?
Can’t people judge music nowadays?
Anyway, why does she have to fill the massive stage in Lisbon?
Can’t they use the dress from Eesti Laul and use camera angles to make it look big?
Anyway most of the people will be watching from home and not the arena, where the stage is higher than where most of the audience is

Nickfan
Nickfan
5 years ago

France was 16th, then 14th, 13th, 12th, 10th, 9th, 8th and now 7th…

Nickc
Nickc
5 years ago
Reply to  Nickfan

Yes, this is the story indeed. France and bulgaria are steadily rising. Bulgaria is actually second now and France is sixth.

Yaa
Yaa
5 years ago
Reply to  Nickfan

I wouldn’y put my hopes too high in the current political climate.

ai4pres
ai4pres
5 years ago
Reply to  Yaa

imo because of the political climate France’s chance of winning is real high

Davve
Davve
5 years ago

I would love it if Mikolas won! The song is contemporary and cool. And he is an amazing live performer.

anonymous91
anonymous91
5 years ago
Reply to  Davve

it’s just talking what Mikolas does, and i hope juries will destroy his qualifying chances, juries don’t like joke acts anyway 😉

Sander
Sander
5 years ago
Reply to  anonymous91

I actually think the juries won’t hurt his chances since the song, as Davve said, is very contemporary and feels now. It’s something we haven’t seen a lot of in Eurovision.

anonymous91
anonymous91
5 years ago
Reply to  Sander

contemporary & Mikolas’s trash song

LOL, don’t make me laugh

HoneyBS
HoneyBS
5 years ago

So much hate in the comments.

Enjoy the music. Eurovision means that and exists for that, for the joy.

Madrileño
Madrileño
5 years ago

I think is to early to pick the winner.
Lets wait for the rehersals my suport to both countrys.

Denis
Denis
5 years ago

I never understood why Estonia was that high up in the odds to begin with. It´s not like she´s offering something new or exciting. Both opera and dress has been used before. Plus the actual song isn´t even that good. Where is the chorus? It probably would have been more exciting if she sang it in Estonian.

Background music
Background music
5 years ago
Reply to  Denis

A lot of us don’t understand either…

Sander
Sander
5 years ago
Reply to  Denis

Every genre has been seen before in Eurovision by now. Opera has been performed a lot less than e.g. pop or rock. It would be weird if she started dancing while singing Opera, no? I think the dress fits the song amazingly; the song is grand and so is the dress.

Denis
Denis
5 years ago
Reply to  Sander

Opera in a Contest is more novelty than anything. Yes it worked for Italy but that was due to 3 sexy guys singing.
On top of that the actual song isn´t that exciting. Standard generic operatic pop with standard performance and a projecting dress. How exciting!!
Why it was that high up when it has nothing going for it is weird.

Pluma
Pluma
5 years ago

Í think that we still havent see the dinner lead the odds

Mark
Mark
5 years ago
Reply to  Pluma

Yummy

Pluma
Pluma
5 years ago
Reply to  Pluma

Winner

esc freak
esc freak
5 years ago
Reply to  Pluma

Lmao dinner!

Blanc
Blanc
5 years ago

With that voice of duck!!! Hahaha
It is beyond salvation….

Sander
Sander
5 years ago
Reply to  Blanc

There were a lot of technical issues and she didn’t sound like she couldn’t sing or she had a bad voice; she sounded sick. That won’t happen in Lisbon 🙂

Adriana
Adriana
5 years ago

I do not believe in these bets anymore .Last year Itally was the one to win and Portugal was right down on the betting odds.Only a fool believes in them…The true bets are the ones from the Grand Final.

Egle
Egle
5 years ago

It’s not a big matter. The odds will certainly change more the closer show comes. It’s sorry that Elina won’t praticipate in pre-events, but she really wants to become professional and has a lot of concerts, attendings booked even before she became the winner of Eesti Laul. For example right now she should be in New York to get lessons from professionals and she will then head right to Lisbon. She said she will also ask how to perform “La forza” better. 🙂

Kyna
Kyna
5 years ago
Reply to  Egle

Egle palun sa ei pea kõike raporteerima. Las jäävad teatud asjad meie enda teada. Muidu rikud üllatusi ära. Samamoodi kuidas sa kirjutasid tema elukaaslase kohta- nii tulidki kohutavad kommentaarid temast. Ma ei tea kas olete küüniline, rumal või naiivne, sest Teie loba rikub meie mainet ja võimalusi, Palun hoidke suu kinni ning lihtsalt jälgige mängu. Mida vähem nad teavad, seda parem. Tehke seda meie riigi heaks palun.

Susanne
Susanne
5 years ago
Reply to  Kyna

Aitäh Kyna! Ma olen ka m?elnud, et kes see on, kes kirjutab siia asju ja miks ta aru ei saa, et need toovad kahju. Tegelikult kui Delfist kommentaare lugeda, siis iga aasta kirjutatakse nii vastikuid kommentaare ja positiivsust ei ole. See aasta ?udusega kohe pean nägema, kuidas m?ni eestlane arvab, et eriti tore on siin kirjutada Elina kohta halba.
Sellele inimesele, kes siin kirjutab: Kui Teile ei meeldi Eesti v?i siis Eurovisioon ärge tulge siia kommenteerima! Teil pole vaja meie riigile niimoodi häbi teha. Aitäh!

Egle
Egle
5 years ago
Reply to  Kyna

Pliis leia mu kommentaar, kus ma kirjutasin tema abikaasast ja kus ma kirjutasin Eestist halba 🙂 Good luck with that!!! Kirjutan mida tahan ja ma pole midagi negatiivset kirjutanud, niiet jah. :))). See rikka abikaasa jutt tuli Delfist ja Delfi ja Wiwibloggs on partnerid niiet plz. 🙂 Hoia ise oma suu kinni, sa pole keegi, et mulle midagi öelda :DDD

Jbean
Jbean
5 years ago

Ok it’s fun and all, but is Albania really 38th? It’s a joke, deserves to be in at least top20 imho

Jbean
Jbean
5 years ago
Reply to  Jbean

same goes for Switzerland

No winner
No winner
5 years ago
Reply to  Jbean

Switzerland is top 20!

Mark
Mark
5 years ago
Reply to  No winner

Switzerland will pull a JOWST

No winner
No winner
5 years ago
Reply to  Jbean

Albania is definitely bottom 5. Just can’t bear it!

Sander
Sander
5 years ago
Reply to  Jbean

The odds don’t predict the placement of the songs, they try to predict who has the biggest chance of winning. We all know neither Switzerland nor Albania will win (though I wouldn’t mind Zürich 2019)

Jake
Jake
5 years ago

WOW…Israel’s eurovision party looks so much more highend and bigger than the other cities…very impressive with the LEDs and the flags in lights on the building.

I am shocked at how week a performance that was from Sennek…no bueno…maybe she’ll have a Blanche reawakening…or she could be the shock non-qualifier…this performance gave me Czech 2017 vibes with worse vocals…will she have backup singers to help elevate it? I dont think there are backing vocals on the official song–it just seems to be her voice solo

Billy Bob
Billy Bob
5 years ago

Well, i dont like Netta’ song as well, lol for me her song sounds like a funny trolling or a joke , her live performance wasnt impressive at all,it looked cheesy and funny in a bad kinda way, she is adorable person but her song is meh…

Mark
Mark
5 years ago
Reply to  Billy Bob

The song is a Lady GAGA reject circa 2008

Gretta
Gretta
5 years ago

Still dont get why the hell Czehia so high on odds? He is not even singing, its just silly teenage rap with not much sense, maybe in clip it looks fun but on the big stage it will flop hardly, i see nothing impressive or special about Mikolas’ song

Mark
Mark
5 years ago
Reply to  Gretta

Czechia has the best POP Song, give it a few weeks and Mikolas will be in the top spot.

anonymous91
anonymous91
5 years ago
Reply to  Mark

Mikolas is currently 40th with me, easily the joke act of the year

if he wins, ESC really sunk that low to fastfood song level again

Nick
Nick
5 years ago

I dont like opera on tv, only in thearte, but Elina has beautiful powerful voice and i get why people like her performance, with Mikolas i dont know, aside of his pretty face and smile i dont see what to like about his song, average music and lyrics, with no camel on stage i dont know what i can look at, only Mikolas’ pretty smiley face i guees…lol

Yaa
Yaa
5 years ago
Reply to  Nick

I think I was the first here daring to question Estonia’s chances, for me is just NQ, so listen to this one: Belarus/ Alekseev is the winner, wait and see but be prepared! And now that I am in a predicting mood I say Czech Rep. will be top 5. Good luck to all!

Wiggy
Wiggy
5 years ago

Israel or Czechia FTW

Shut up and drink that tea
Shut up and drink that tea
5 years ago

I don’t like this cheap copy of ‘Talk Dirty’, by Jason Derulo. Nice try, I’m not buying it, good luck next year, Czech Republic.

Niels
5 years ago

Me too, i actually hate this if i have to be honest

Mark
Mark
5 years ago
Reply to  Niels

I don’t like Israel’s cheap copy of Bad Romance

Jo
Jo
5 years ago

People sing about love, peace, bullying…why not about sex?

Daan
Daan
5 years ago
Reply to  Jo

Cuz Sex is only allowed nowadays in a female standpoint. sadly.. Mikolas is amazing and my number one. Czech republic has always been underrated and if this were Sweden or Australia people would beg that this would be first…

Also, Stop saying Mikolas has a carreer at Belami or Czech Hunter. I mean, I am gay myself , but you got to realise this is soooo lacking respect for the Czech republic let alone its citizens… Dobrzy Czechstina..

Jo
Jo
5 years ago
Reply to  Daan

wut? I never said that.

Sasha
Sasha
5 years ago
Reply to  Daan

Most Balkan music is about sex

Daan
Daan
5 years ago
Reply to  Daan

Oh PLEASE LMAO. I bet you are meanwhile clucking along with Netta. You know? Toy? The song about stopping OBJECTIVying women? Yet its okay to objectify Mikolas like that? Like a toy? Czech republic is more than Adult content you know.. Mikolas is a singer, not your toy.

Mikey
Mikey
5 years ago

I think Bulgaria is second favourite at the moment…

Carlos
Carlos
5 years ago

Mikolas is a total sweetheart…. but his song one of the most overrated entry this year, annoying beats and disturbing lyrics, all he is doing is fast speaking and weirdly dancing , he has charm and all but the rest of it are so cheesy and silly ….sorry dear…

Yaa
Yaa
5 years ago
Reply to  Carlos

Perfect for teenagers and they will vote in droves! And cutieness sells very well for all age spans! With a bit of luck I see him in top 5.

Jo
Jo
5 years ago

I don’t think he will win, but a Top 10, possibly 5, is almost guaranteed. Hopefully that will bring Slovakia back next year. I want to see Kristina getting a Poli-Genova kind of revenge.