All the semi-final acts have rehearsed for the first time and the odds have gone haywire.

Azerbaijan is in the ascendant. Chingiz Mustafayev turned things out in a technical tour de force and bookies have rewarded him. Azerbaijan is now as low as 8/1 at Bet365*.

Another nation on the move is the island of Malta. Michela also turned to technology for her performance and the gamble appears to have paid off. As of 18:37 Israeli time, Malta is in the blue across the board and available as low as 14/1 at SkyBet.

Others have not faired as well off the back of their first rehearsals.

Market leaders The Netherlands and Russia are both in the red.

Duncan Laurence may still be the market leader but his odds are lengthening. Marathon Bet lists him as high as 2/1. Granted some acts would dream of that being that low, but adverse reaction to the first rehearsal has wounded market confidence.

Likewise Sergey Lazarev also seems to have suffered. His mirror-focused first rehearsal for Russia did not succeed in catapulting him into first place. Instead he’s also in the red across the board. Unibet has him at 6/1. Russia remains in second place, but like The Netherlands did not receive a bookmaker bump off the back of rehearsals.

Further down the pecking order North Macedonia is also picking up momentum. Several bookmakers have them in the blue and William Hill has dropped Tamara Todoveska‘s odds to 50/1. That suggests she has reason to be proud post first-rehearsal.

You can review the full Eurovision 2019 odds on Oddschecker.

What do you make of the odds? Do you think The Netherlands can reverse the trend? Is Azerbaijan our new frontrunner? Or will North Macedonia prevail? Let us know in the comments below!

GET MORE EUROVISION 2019 ODDS NEWS HERE

Photo Credit: EBU

*Odds accurate 18:37 local time in Tel Aviv

103 Comments
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redarrow
4 years ago

I tjhink Malta have a good chance to win it depands on how Europe will vote you know what I mean . neighbours staff..

PP77
PP77
4 years ago

My prediction for left side TOP 13
1.Sweden
2.Azerbaijan
3.Russia
4.The Netherlands
5.Italy
6.Switzerland
7.Iceland
8.Australia
9.Cyprus
10.Greece
11.Malta
12.Spain
13.Denmark

PP77
PP77
4 years ago

For me Malta,Greece are so much overrated , Iceland,Switzerland overrated.

Rob
Rob
4 years ago

I’ve made up my mind: hailing from the Netherlands I can’t vote for Arcade. But this will be the first time ever I shall vote. If Australia reaches the final, my vote goes to her. From sarcastic, to guilty pleasure, to a deep song with lyrics I can relate to; I’ve went through it all. Everyone who has (had) a depression should/could relate to it; or at least can try to make it an anthem that might bring you up again! Depression can be battled, or in ESC-words: can be slayed! At the very least, I hope that depression will… Read more »

Conchitaah
Conchitaah
4 years ago

Yeah, couldn’t this year’s odds be any better? thank you

Albert
Albert
4 years ago

Azerbaijan is my favourite so far. vocals, performance.. just was perfect
love u from Israel! <3

Alex
Alex
4 years ago

Israel started to drift after rehearsals too but it won…

Azerbaijan is not this year’s Cyprus 2018. It’s more like ireland 2018.

Loin dici
4 years ago

As far as it goes, odds are refelcting more or less only the televoting part of the voting. Eventhough, EuroJury seems to be almost accurate in predicting jury scores, we can’t really be sure of its accuracy since there are countries with only 1 jury or one with 6-7 juries or even a broadcaster in general. Juries can cater either towards commercial or aesthetical music so their taste will have to be put into consideration. Right now, Azerbaijan seems to be a contender to get at least top 8 in the televote. North Macedonia will still probably be overlooked —… Read more »

aroncido
aroncido
4 years ago

Anybody knows what’s behind the substantial bump Italy received in the odds today?

Jo.
Jo.
4 years ago
Reply to  aroncido

maybe because Switzerland and N’lands don’t have killer stagings, so Italy got higher by default.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
4 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

Question answered.
Can you remember last year? The semi final rehearsals were, on the whole, underwhelming. Literally, Norway and then Sweden shot to the top of the odds briefly, even before rehearsing, just because bookmakers weren’t seeing a winner.

David F
David F
4 years ago
Reply to  aroncido

I noticed that bump today too, which was surprising considering Mahmood was also written off sick today.

Jo.
Jo.
4 years ago

there’s no clear winner and the competition is totally open.

Jack
Jack
4 years ago

Why the despafuego is still in the top 10? Seriously I will never vote a shameless copy of a performance that even includes the same entrance, colours and dancers.

Emma
Emma
4 years ago
Reply to  Jack

Don’t see whats the big deal about the dancers? Dancers aren’t owned by a particular performer, they can dance for whoever they want- they need to earn a living too. So what? is just a dancer for gods sake. I fail to see how having 1- yes 1 (because two are male and Fuego had all female) dancer from last year make it a ‘shameless’ copy? Just seems ridiculous to me and completely and utterly nit picky. It seriously makes me laugh (I’ve never laughed so much). I respect you don’t like the song but calling it a copy because… Read more »

Bob
Bob
4 years ago

As of this moment, Sweden, Malta and Azerbaijan are in the best positions to win the entire competition. These songs have proven to be elevated by their stagings and unless something dramatically changes, they will all do extremely well with both televoters and the jury come the grand final. I can see Iceland challenging for the televote win, and The Netherlands will challenge for a jury win. Italy and Russia are still in the race too, but they have an uphill to climb. This is one of the most exciting years of ESC for a long time, there are so… Read more »

My number one
My number one
4 years ago

Everyone wondering about the greek odds, I know why it they are driffting. The staging was perfect and stuff but this song NEEDS the camera work. Katerine said that with with the camera it is gonna look like a live music video. So we have to wait until the 2nd rehearsal

Anna
Anna
4 years ago
Reply to  My number one

??…this is not the problem. Don’t fool yourself. Greece is just out of the” game” years now…Do not expect something better than 10th place.

My number one
My number one
4 years ago
Reply to  Anna

Just because you don’t like the song doesn’t mean that others wont like it too. You’re not the center of the world y’ know? They will change some things on the staging like the lights because they want it to be brighter and just because Greece failed to qualify 2 times it still doesn’t make us the worst country in the contest. We only saw a 30 sec video from one angle from an unprofessional camera. I’m pretty sure Greece is one of the dark horses of the year.

Thiago
Thiago
4 years ago
Reply to  My number one

No need to snap at people. Greece being “out of the game” as Anna said also has to do with the disillusion with Greece. There was a time people were just crazy about the country itself. That time is over so Greece as a country in the contest doesn’t have the momentum it used to have before the economic fiasco.

My number one
My number one
4 years ago
Reply to  Thiago

I know we dont have the same success like before the economic crisis but also the fact that the voting is 50-50 (juries and public) also made it difficult for us. Also with all this propaganda by foreign news that we ”steal their money” also made europeans hate us and not vote for us, the same reason why they dont vote for Germany.

esc1234
esc1234
4 years ago

why your reaction to the first rehearsal of Russia has been deleted? Is Kirkorov unhappy?

aroncido
aroncido
4 years ago

It’s pretty hard to judge the big5+1 against the ones that we’ve seen on stage, but here is my attempt at a post-rehearsal top41: 1. Iceland 2. Italy 3. Netherlands 4. San Marino 5. Slovenia 6. Poland 7. Australia 8. Malta 9. Hungary 10. Spain 11. Switzerland 12. Ireland 13. Sweden 14. Denmark 15. Greece 16. Cyprus 17. Austria 18. North Macedonia 19. Latvia 20. Azerbaijan 21. Portugal 22. Belarus 23. Czechia 24. Belgium 25. Armenia 26. France 27. Finland 28. Romania 29. Serbia 30. Moldova 31. Russia 32. Israel 33. Lithuania 34. Albania 35. Georgia 36. Norway 37. United… Read more »

Jake
Jake
4 years ago
Reply to  aroncido

shockingly, Malta? Malta is there with the top 10 honey!

Ezal
Ezal
4 years ago
Reply to  Jake

Well this top is.. something 😀

aroncido
aroncido
4 years ago
Reply to  Ezal

Gotta earn those sweet sweet downvotes somehow 😀

Minerva
Minerva
4 years ago
Reply to  aroncido

Malta winning Eurovision this year? I don’t mind if they do, but it’s a very ambitious prediction! But, of course, we have seen strange things happening before, so anything is possible.

aroncido
aroncido
4 years ago
Reply to  Minerva

I really don’t think she will, but I can at least see a scenario where that happens. For the others (apart from the three I mention), I don’t really see how it could happen.

Bob
Bob
4 years ago
Reply to  aroncido

I can see Sweden winning by a landslide. Surprised you don’t see how dangerous John Lundvik will be in the final. The jury will love him, the people will vote too. I suspect the televote result will be somewhat like this: 1. Italy 2. Russia 3. Iceland 4. Sweden 5. Malta or the Netherlands, depending on who has the stronger charisma. I can’t imagine the top three countries doing that well with the jury, so Sweden could snatch the crown and win, and people will be mad a song that didn’t even come top 3 with the televote actually won… Read more »

aroncido
aroncido
4 years ago
Reply to  Bob

You might be right, and I’m sure Sweden will be top10 and quite likely top5, but winning is sort of different, historically speaking, than placing high. All (or almost all?) winners have had a sort of “wow”/standout factor in this decade, and with Sweden, I kinda don’t feel it. It is not even really “contemporary pop” what the juries seem to be going for, it’s sort of genre-y. Which leads me to believe that Italy, The Netherlands and Malta, who are serving more-or-less contemporary pop music, will beat it with both the juries and the televote. Could be wrong, of… Read more »

Fatima
Fatima
4 years ago
Reply to  aroncido

Not sure if the UK will do that well, sadly

Stephanie
Stephanie
4 years ago

I stick with it, we’re gonna have an unexpected winner !The question is who, but it won’t be The Netherlands or Russia, i’,m sure of it

allex
allex
4 years ago

My Top 18 First Rehearsals for Semi Final 2
1. Azerbaijan (Tuesday)
2. Netherlands (Tuesday)
3. Switzerland (Monday)
4. Russia (Tuesday)
5. Armenia (Monday)
6. Malta (Tuesday)
7. Austria (Monday)
8. Sweden (Monday)
9. North Macedonia (Tuesday)
10. Albania (Tuesday)
11. Norway (Tuesday)
12. Romania (Monday)
13. Denmark (Monday)
14. Ireland (Monday)
15. Latvia (Monday)
16. Moldova (Monday)
17. Lithuania (Tuesday)
18. Croatia (Tuesday)
Monday vs Tuesday TUESDAY WINS
4 6

Elina
Elina
4 years ago

Well in my way of thinking that time betting odds are worse than ever ! Firstly about azerbaijan … Of course they deserve top 10 but places 8th-10th . And that’s why no one places it higher and juries also won’t . Furthemore I can’t get why Sweden hasn’t dropped in odds and Russia does . Personally they are out of my top 10 but bookers you can’t say that you are dissatisfied about Russia and Greece and that you are satisfied about Sweden for rising their odds . Also it’s making no sense to drop Greece’s odds . It’s… Read more »

Anna
Anna
4 years ago
Reply to  Elina

Odds are shortening if you ”invest” money…so that to start a ”fake” race. Some guys put yesterday….amounts…and some other ”bit the bait”. Some other guys try to ”resist”….investing in another horse and so on.

It’s so simple.

Polegend Godgarina
4 years ago

azerbaijani delegation betting on itself wbk

Khazar
4 years ago

Cry…

Conchitaah
Conchitaah
4 years ago

True lol

Mario
Mario
4 years ago

Tamta will take the throne at the end!

David F
David F
4 years ago
Reply to  Mario

If we’re talking Game of Thrones, I think the series should end with the Iron Throne being torn to pieces and no more bloodshed over a chair that’s caused so many wars.

As that’s unlikely to happen, I’d say Sansa would be a good choice. A younger and fairer Queen that Cersei never saw coming.

KESC
KESC
4 years ago
Reply to  Mario

If Foureira didn’t win, there is absolutely no chance that Tamta is going to win.

Roger Rabbit
Roger Rabbit
4 years ago

OMG and Fokas make the staging from Spain too.yeaaaah .waiting for a big party full color and fun.with so much dramas song .Spain go to bring FIESTAAAAA.and is what Europ need 🙂

Mario
Mario
4 years ago

The best choice would be #RunWithTheLions http://bit.do/eRMbw

Berco
Berco
4 years ago
Reply to  Mario

and now you can run with minus (-)

Sabrina
Sabrina
4 years ago

One thing aboutodds that sometimes gets lost with the message: when an entry jumps out of nowhere, it’s normal for it to get very high placed. It doesn’t mean that suddenly everybody think Azerbaijan will win, but that everybody underestimated its chances and then, at that very moment, that became a possibility and could generate a bigger outcome than betting on Duncan or Sergey. The same thing happened to Ireland last year after the semifinal and a little less to the UK after the stage invasion. And even to the Netherlands weeks ago, when the song was released and the… Read more »

Lloyd
Lloyd
4 years ago

I’m quite surprised about Azerbaijans move. It’s a personal favourite but from what I’ve seen, I don’t think it warrants a jump to 4th place.

IVANOV
IVANOV
4 years ago
Reply to  Lloyd

I don’t like it too, he could steal some points to Russia from the western countries who likes to bash Russia but strangely don’t care about the politicals in Azerbaijan

JJ09
JJ09
4 years ago

My Semifinal 2 Top Qualifiers:
1. Azerbaijan
2.The Netherlands
3. Russia
4. Malta
5. Switzerland
6. Sweden
7. Romania
8. Norway
9. Armenia
10. North Macedonia

disk
disk
4 years ago

I’m in love with the Maltese song… can’t get enough of it…

Give her water… she’s a swimmer,
Give her fire… she’s a fighter,
Give her trophy… she’s a winner.. Good luck Malta

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
4 years ago

Okay, okay… Semi final 2 is very strong, so I’m struggling to choose my top 10. But for now my qualifiers are(in that order): The Netherlands, Russia, Azerbaijan, Albania, Armenia, Malta, Switzerland, North Macedonia, Ireland and Sweden. It’s very hard to predict tho, so I’ll wait for that until after the 2nd rehersals…

Denis
Denis
4 years ago

Almost all semi final 2 acts are good, hard to tell who was the best. Anybody of the favourites can win! Just picking 10 for th efinal is so hard..

Komentator
Komentator
4 years ago

Croatia-good stage performance which has a theme, perfect vocal, clouds or heaven on a LED screens with costumes of dancers are aligned with the song and the singer are ok but nothing special, makes sense… Malta-another dance performance like Cyprus and Switzerland boring boring boring, background is interesting, costume of Michela is very bad, not compatible… Lithuania-standard, vocal very very good,outfit solid, lighting and screens is ok, in general they didn’t change anything, again standard… Russia-confused, i expected epic stage performance as from music video, mirrors are refreshment, white costume is always very good choice, everything looks expensive and modern… Read more »

Stephanie
Stephanie
4 years ago
Reply to  Komentator

YES!!! Finaly someone who feels the same way that I do. Cyprus, Malta and Switzerland are so damn overrated, don’t even know what they’re doing in thé 10!Thank you, thank you..you’re my hero!!!

allex
allex
4 years ago

Today’s Rehearsals were the strongest so far, so many good performances it was hard to rank them worst to best but eventually I did

1. Azerbaijan
2. Netherlands
3. Russia
4. Malta
5. North Macedonia
6. Albania
7. Noway
8. Lithuania
9. Croatia

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
4 years ago
Reply to  allex

I agree, but I would put Lithuania last.. That was like…nothing.

allex
allex
4 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

Yeah

Rob
Rob
4 years ago

I’ve always predicted that Azerbaijan could do well, just like Australia. They might surprise us. Also, Spain is climbing, Norway is going down.

It doesn’t tell us much, other than: this will be a VERY interesting ESC! 😀

stephen
stephen
4 years ago
Reply to  Rob

Australia needs to up their game, the 2nd rehearsal will show if they are in the race.
Even the terrible OZ entry in 2018 was higher than 11-12 place in the semi finals until it ended up in 20th place in the final.

Tim
Tim
4 years ago

Italy on 3rd pkace. Its not a winner for me. There is ni soul for me. NO feeling, and he likes like he dont wanna be There. Its so monoton song. Its not gonna Winn.

allex
allex
4 years ago
Reply to  Tim

You haven’t even seen the rehearsal yet and your judging it now… just wow.

ESC 2019
4 years ago
Reply to  allex

I have see him on film from Italy. I dont think he gonna change hes personality for ESC

Stephanie
Stephanie
4 years ago
Reply to  Tim

WHAT???? This is by far the best song in thé competition

Marcus
Marcus
4 years ago

What’s going on with the Greek drifting, oh god

Bella
Bella
4 years ago

Must have missed something: what was so wrong with the Dutch staging to lower their odds? It’s simple and classy, what were people expecting? That he would dress up as Super Mario, while juggling with fireballs and dancing over an aquarium?

An American ESC Fan
An American ESC Fan
4 years ago
Reply to  Bella

Don’t forget him being naked onstage like in the video!

Colin
Colin
4 years ago

Azerbaijan has a good staging (as predicted). but I am still quite cold towards the song. Netherlands should win.

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
4 years ago
Reply to  Colin

I still think it’s between Italy and the Netherlands (or Russia tbh).

Sabrina
Sabrina
4 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

As long it doesn’t gain even more traction than expected, Azerbaijan can actually help Italy and the Netherlands by taking points from Russia.

Jake
Jake
4 years ago

Love love Malta. Staging looks very promising. Fun, bright colours and happiness is what we need Michela! Definite Top 10 I believe.

Whisker
Whisker
4 years ago
Reply to  Jake

I like it too. The dancers are very good.

Nicolas
Nicolas
4 years ago
Reply to  Jake

If Moldova managed last year to finish in the top 10 on staging alone with an outdated cheesy song it would be a crime to not have Malta in the top 10 this year with a current and refreshing song.

Kris
Kris
4 years ago

The winner of the day has to be Azerbaijan , this explains why it was put last and not Norway/Malta !! The loser of the day for me is Albania. The staging doesn’t look very good in the clip. O hope they fix it. Cause the song does deserve to qualify.However it has dropped from a likely to a borderline qualifier for me ! My assessments of the rehearsals: 1) Croatia: – – (NQ) 2)Malta: + (Sure) 3Lithuania: = (?) 4)Russia: – (Sure) 5)Albania: – (?) 6)Norway: + (Likely) 7)Netherlands: – (Sure) 8)North Macedonia: +(?) 9) Azerbaijan: ++ (Sure) [I… Read more »

Otis
Otis
4 years ago

can someone explain his thought about greek odds? I really cannot understand. people liked it. they were more than hapilly surprised but still odds are weakening. i really cannot explain that. people and journalists were calling greek song even dark horse. is still favourite to win semi 1 but what then? i cannot understand really 🙁

Anna
Anna
4 years ago
Reply to  Otis

I told you they are waiting the semi. Be patient. Is a matter of ruin ed trust.

Someone
Someone
4 years ago
Reply to  Otis

I am also questioning about that . Man it’s the most liked entry in rehearsal odds and apparently it’s not from Greeks we know you don’t like your entry (fools ?) . Also journalists call it a dark horse and I have nothing to notice (negatively) from their first rehearsal . Excellent staging and her voice is one of the most memorable in this year’s competition ( If not the best ) and not only … I think that this happens cause bookers want to push Australia to top 10 ( for affecting people’s attitude) and the next step is… Read more »

Boubouki
4 years ago
Reply to  Someone

Sigh! Stop going on about Greece’s song being the best. There are other equally great songs that deserve the same recognition and warrant a favourable spot in the betting odds. There’s no master plan to propel Australia forward.

Alex
Alex
4 years ago

I will just point out how press or bookmakers react last year towards Israel, Czech Rep, Italy and Denmark. And guess what all 4 were Top 5 with televoting. We never know what will happen.
I think we just overthink too much the staging thing instead of focusing on the song or artist charisma or overall uniqueness or likeabilty of the act.

Loin dici
4 years ago
Reply to  Alex

This, though.

Nicolas
Nicolas
4 years ago

Bookies all other the place again. Azerbaijan will never finish in the top 5.

Broski
Broski
4 years ago

I still think the netherlands will win, the camera shots will do the trick.

Anna
Anna
4 years ago

Venus Arising Horse ”Pedigree” !!!
The Netherlands Chris Isaak (wicked game…lol) is a naked King….

Skiwalko
Skiwalko
4 years ago

I don’t know if it’s just me, but I haven’t seen a clear winner package yet. So either Italy’s gonna blow us away, or we’re having a close race for the win this year. But so far, it’s anyone’s game.

Sabrina
Sabrina
4 years ago
Reply to  Skiwalko

I agree. Nobody closed the deal so far. It would be interesting to watch a 6 or 7 heads race for a change.

Bob
Bob
4 years ago
Reply to  Skiwalko

Sweden will be dangerous in the grand final.

Andy
Andy
4 years ago

I’m a bit puzzled with the odds. Overall, I think they reflect what we saw so far. Most of the first rehearsals were below par/expectations and these that surprised positively moved upwards (see AUS and AZE). I am surprised though with Greece’s quite big drop in the odds as most people seemed to be positive towards it.

Conchitaah
Conchitaah
4 years ago
Reply to  Andy

Same, regarding Greece 🙁

Minerva
Minerva
4 years ago
Reply to  Andy

I never look at them. So many things can change until the semi-finals and finals.

Milla
Milla
4 years ago

If Azerbaijan wins it’s a shame. The staging will win if it does. Because he seems a bit off in my opinion in the way he moves and so on.. Lacks personality.

Conchitaah
Conchitaah
4 years ago
Reply to  Milla

Definitely agree!

Nicolas
Nicolas
4 years ago
Reply to  Milla

It has zero chances to win I’m not worried of that. Unless SIM cards flying like in 2011….
An average song stays average no matter the staging. If the song was so good it would have been top 10 on the betting odds since the beginning and don’t bring the Fuego card.

Alex
Alex
4 years ago
Reply to  Nicolas

Juries placed Azerbaijan 2nd in 2011. Sometimes we forget that fact. Same in 2013.

PP77
PP77
4 years ago
Reply to  Nicolas

Scandal was in 2013. Azerbaijan won 2011 because Turkey stay in semi, RAI delegation said they wouldnt love to win and they had song witote televote vibe (they won juries final),economic crises. Sweden was maybe second options instead Azerbaijan (was out of top 5 with juries, and nobody know how they finished in televote in final(result was not good from 2007-2010(

Fast Food Music Lover
Fast Food Music Lover
4 years ago
Reply to  Milla

It’s not going to be the first time staging wins if that happens.

Hmm
Hmm
4 years ago

Biggest winner today: Borislav Milanov

Joshua
Joshua
4 years ago

Can’t understand the hype for the Azeri song… or even for Sweden, but they’re always loved no matter what.

KESC
KESC
4 years ago
Reply to  Joshua

That’s why one failed to qualify last year, and the other one received 21 points from the televote..

Joshua
Joshua
4 years ago
Reply to  KESC

What d’you mean by that? By “they” I was talking only about Sweden and even if they only received 21 points from the televote, they received many more points from the jury and even managed to qualify. If that’s not showing appreciation for the Swedish entries, I don’t know what is.

Whisker
Whisker
4 years ago
Reply to  KESC

There is no comparison between Aisel and Chingiz. But Aisel’s staging was not as impacting as it should have been (I wipe my tears). Sweden last year is a mystery to me, I don’t understand why it has done so well with the juries – it sounded like Justin Timberlake, nothing original about it. I was watching the jury points and couldn’t believe my eyes. Chingiz is super, I loved the song at the first listen, he brings something “else”. John Lundvik is much more talented than Benjamin Ingrosso and really deserves to do well.

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
4 years ago

Azerbaijan is my 7th place anyway, so I’m happy for them and wish Chingiz the best. But god damn, that staging looks freaking gorgeous, wow! Amazing.

Whisker
Whisker
4 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

I’m trying really hard to keep my expectations in check but yes, I think he’ll give us a great performance.

Conchitaah
Conchitaah
4 years ago

I really hope that Greece goes high, same as for Malta. They both deserve it so much.
Same as for France, Australia and Serbia.

Luk
Luk
4 years ago
Reply to  Conchitaah

Top 10 in final Poland

KESC
KESC
4 years ago

Rome, Baku or Athens 2020 please!

And so happy for Malta and North Macedonia. 🙂