It’s the calm before the storm. From Thursday 27 February to 8 March, we’ll have at least one new Eurovision song almost every day. And in anticipation of the onslaught, the bookmakers’ odds are becoming increasingly volatile. One moment a song is up, the next it’s down. However, one country’s ascent continues despite the shifting sands. Romania is now the bookies’ second favourite to win Eurovision 2020.

Eurovision 2020 Odds: Romania second favourite to win — 26 February

Roxen will sing one of five tracks in Rotterdam. But we won’t know which one until Sunday’s song selection show. Nonetheless, the up-and-coming star sits second in Oddschecker’s odds comparison table.

The country can be backed from as low as 7/1 and its odds continue to shorten.

Romania is doing things differently for 2020. Its traditional multi-act national selection has been ditched after two consecutive non-qualifications. Instead, Roxen was internally selected.

And for now, at least, the market seems to think that the country has made the right call.

Other Eurovision 2020 betting favourites

There’s no change at the top. Lithuania’s The Roop remain the firm favourites to win. While their odds are drifting slightly, they are still significantly lower than at the weekend. You can place bets on “On Fire” from as low as 3/1 — compared to 6/1 on Sunday.

Romania’s rise sees Italy fall to third. The odds on a victory for Diodato and “Fai rumore” continue to lengthen. The latest figures start at 8/1.

Next is Russia at 10/1. The country has remained noticeably silent to date and there has yet to be any official declarations regarding either the artist or song.

The top five is completed by Sweden. And it’s really very tight because some outlets are offering odds as low as 8/1 for the Scandi nation. It was even briefly ahead of both Italy and Russia in the overall rankings. While we don’t know the country’s act yet, we do know all of the songs competing in Melodifestivalen. Dotter is the current favourite to win there at 1.85. Her closest competition is Anna Bergendahl on 5.25.

The remainder of the top ten is almost completely dominated by internal selections, none of which have announced their songs. They include Bulgaria and Malta. Ahead of upcoming announcements, Germany and Switzerland break into the top ten. Norway is the exception at ten. It selected Ulrikke with “Attention” two weeks ago.

The United Kingdom is just outside at 11.

Eurovision 2020 Betting Odds — 26 February

via Oddschecker

  1. Lithuania 3/1
  2. Romania 7/1
  3. Italy 8/1
  4. Russia 10/1
  5. Sweden 8/1
  6. Bulgaria 11/1
  7. Malta 14/1
  8. Germany 14/1
  9. Switzerland 16/1
  10. Norway 12/1

Odds correct as of 22:00 CET 26 February.

Do you agree with the odds? Are the betting community getting a bit too excited a bit too soon? Let us know in the comments.

Follow all of our Eurovision 2020 odds here.

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Jake
Jake
4 years ago

I hope the bookmakers are getting excited too soon because Poland and Latvia don’t feature as contenders. Nevermind… they will still have some momentum going into the show.

AurelianTamisan
AurelianTamisan
4 years ago

I think that the odds right now are not that suggestive, there are still too many countries that didn’t choose their entry. Lithuania is certainly good and has something smooth and different, but I’m not seeing it as a winner. While Romania didn’t even choose the song. I think that after they do it, they will loose some positions in the odds, despite what they’re choosing and if it is not ‘Alcohol You’, Romania will not even remain in the top. So far, not so many great entries chosen, personally I like Belgium the most, while Lithuania is a nice… Read more »

Ashley
Ashley
4 years ago

I hope UK end on the left this year would be nice for a change .

Joakim Håkansson
Joakim Håkansson
4 years ago

What am I missing about the romanian entries? None of them seemed to be perticularly good. Can someone please explain? ?

Anna
Anna
4 years ago

They are well produced, have a nice sound and are contempoary. Whereas the swedish entries are outdated cliches. All swedish entries could have been written 20 years ago. I find the same pattern for the lyrics.

Victoire
Victoire
4 years ago

I want to like the songs, and I sort of do, but I find the broken English lyrics and her thick accent quite grating. I wish people who can’t speak English very well would just stick to their native language, Eurovision has too much English as is.

Fun or ban?
Fun or ban?
4 years ago
Reply to  Victoire

Oh, Victoire, are you related to Hyacinth Bouchet?

Polegend Godgarina
4 years ago

whether it’s “alcohol you” or “cherry red” they send, they’ll do extremely well

ALVIN SEBETERO
ALVIN SEBETERO
4 years ago

ROMANIA will only stay on top with ALCOHOL YOU! The rest are also good but a bit ‘MEH’ for Eurovision.
ALCOHOL YOU got all the impact.

Gang
Gang
4 years ago

Of course.Eurovision is the biggest competition of the year.Songs of these years are really good.

Alllll
Alllll
4 years ago

All love Eurovision, for that reason we are writing here comments

Gang
Gang
4 years ago

i love Eurovision

Alllll
Alllll
4 years ago

Of course gang, when you speak for Eurovision, normal that it’s a strong competition.

Gang
Gang
4 years ago

?t looks like it’s gonna be a strong competition

Ago
Ago
4 years ago

I love wiwibloggs so much, but these odds posts are sinply pointless. Odds are stupid when the songs are not all out.

Serpent
Serpent
4 years ago
Reply to  Ago

Those polls are pointless too. They are not reliable. Remember how last year Georgia and Croatia won the polls?

Nicolas
Nicolas
4 years ago
Reply to  Serpent

Who can forget Roko !

Robert
Robert
4 years ago

And rightfully so.. Lithuania feels like the 1 to beat and the pre selection songs of Romania are just banging.. Alcohol you is my fav..

Apple
Apple
4 years ago

Lithuania’s entry being number 1 right now is a testament to how weak this year has been so far, I think. It’s a cool performance but a rather unoriginal, uninspired song full of higher/fire/desire clichés. It shouldn’t come anywhere close to winning

Lokh
Lokh
4 years ago

Everything is so bad that a young schoolgirl is a potential winner? and people trusting bookmakers will pull her high

Khazar
4 years ago

It is too early to say something.. I am excited for Sweden, Russia, Azerbaijan, Malta, Bulgaria and Greece.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
4 years ago

I found an article on another Eurovision site that stated that because of Lithuania’s number one position in the odds, its largest cities Vilnius and Kaunas are seriously considering their hosting potential should Lithuania actually win in May. You could call it overconfidence, but I think it’s smart to assess right now if Lithuania has the right facilities to host Eurovision if they actually. It might not happen, but better to be prepared now and lose than to be caught completely off-guard in the midst of your hypothetical. “We are the winners—oh crap, we gotta host this thing!”

Erik
Erik
4 years ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

Or they are just copying the Dutch marketing strategy from last year. They want to start a discussion about them being favourites without hyping the song. Instead the focus is to show the nation is rooting for them and are acting crazy in taking the victory in advance.
The purpose is always to get far ahead in the lead. But this is packaged in a discussion about host cities. Call it lex Donald Trump. They better be speaking about you.

MiGi
MiGi
4 years ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

Oh yes, Lithuania has wonderful facilities! One of the largest arenas in Europe. If Lithuania could organize European Basketball Championship a few years ago, Eurovision will be easy 🙂

Saskia
Saskia
4 years ago

Look, if they’re putting Germany and the UK, who were the Bottom 2 of the Grand Final last year in the Top 10 without them even having selected a song, then I’m not gonna trust anything else they say. Although Lithuania, Romania and Italy all have nice songs 🙂

Rike
Rike
4 years ago
Reply to  Saskia

Also had to laugh about the odds – Germany hasn’t presented its entry yet. Let’s hope it will be good. Apparently it could be Benjamin Dolic. Not again last or second last…. Please, I just want a decent song!!!!!!

Martyn Stefansson
Martyn Stefansson
4 years ago

When Iva wins Songvakeppnin on Saturday night watch Iceland top the bookies betting

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
4 years ago

It could be Dadi who goes to Rotterdam.

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
4 years ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

I hope it is, his song is so happy and quirky and fresh. but If Iva wins I will also be happy

Nicolas
Nicolas
4 years ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

Then bye bye the top of the bookies.

xohxoh
xohxoh
4 years ago

I’m pretty sure Dadi is winning.

Irishfan
Irishfan
4 years ago

Cherry red or alcohol you for the Eurovision crown

Joe
Joe
4 years ago

Last year was about the usual non-qualifiers cleaning up their acts. This year looks to be more about big countries or former superstars improving, like the UK or Germany. Eventually it’ll all even out.

IVANOV
IVANOV
4 years ago

If you want to win money it’s now or never. Russia only 5th and once released 1st until the end.

IVANOV
IVANOV
4 years ago

100% agree

Andi
Andi
4 years ago

I wonder how it comes that Germany is so high although the song isn’t even out. I mean, hello??? It’s Germany!! I guess no country had less success in the last 9 years 😀
(I still love my country, so #noFront lol)

M_K
M_K
4 years ago
Reply to  Andi

If we take a look at the last nine contests, both Spain and France scored lower than Germany on five out of nine occasions (55%), which means they technically had less success.

jeicjsjf
jeicjsjf
4 years ago
Reply to  M_K

france has had a turn around since 2016 though… although i doubt tom will be able to keep it going, you never know!

Alex
Alex
4 years ago
Reply to  Andi

Germany has been 4 times Top 10 in televoting
UK only once
And Spain.. 0

Mancariana Glande
Mancariana Glande
4 years ago

I believe Germany is focusing more on a single artist hence the high pitch. I really wish they could send something like they did in 2017. Good luck! I’m hopeful!

Andi
Andi
4 years ago

I guess you mean 2018 (Schulte)?

Am.casablancas
Am.casablancas
4 years ago
Reply to  Andi

Yes, that guy I thought it was 2017.

Alex
Alex
4 years ago

UK should climb some spots. Weird that Germany and Switzerland are so high despite Germany having bad results. I believe they definitely know more than we know or insiders bet on DE and CH bc they have heard the songs.

Remember last year Switzerland was high weeks and months before the release of She Got Me and the announcement of Luca. Same for the Netherlands. And remember where they ended up in Tel Aviv.

Joe
Joe
4 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Ooh, that’s encouraging!

Caliope
Caliope
4 years ago

Nahh it’s going to be Oslo 2021. Good luck from Portugal

Fabio
Fabio
4 years ago

These Romanian songs are 100% hype. They’re not bad at all, but nothing outstanding either. They’re just average pop songs.

Kar
Kar
4 years ago
Reply to  Fabio

Songs are pretty good, but some of them seems like unfinished, experimental, too indy, too poetic. I talk about ‘Beautiful Disaster’, ‘Colours’, ‘Alcohol You’. While ‘Cherry red’ and ‘Storm’ seems more finished and more suitable for Eurovision, but they also are missing something. It’s like some of her songs doesn’t really allow her to show all of her voice, that they’re not too challenging for her. They sound perfect for personal playlist on Spotify, but somewhat lacking for a competition. I think her songs will appeal to teens and young adults but will be ignored by general ESC public. Staging… Read more »

P!nk Forever
P!nk Forever
4 years ago

Nice try, Mr. Kirkorov!

Alex
Alex
4 years ago

I never thought I’d see the day Lithuania or Romania in the top 2.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
4 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Yeah, And I’m all for it

Alex
Alex
4 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Yes. With the right song/artist any country can do it.
I’m really pleased with this Top 2 based on what we know so far. Internal selections can shake it still. We’ll see

Skiwalko
Skiwalko
4 years ago

This week alone we’re getting at least 10 new songs (Belarus, Croatia, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, the UK). I think the odds will look quite different on Monday.

Joe
Joe
4 years ago
Reply to  Skiwalko

Belarus isn’t gonna be the reason for that, but point taken.

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
4 years ago
Reply to  Joe

the shade tho

xohxoh
xohxoh
4 years ago
Reply to  Skiwalko

The only one who might do something is Iceland.

Serpent
Serpent
4 years ago
Reply to  xohxoh

I don’t think so, Greece, Moldova, Estonia and Serbia can drastically change the odds

vox
vox
4 years ago

i need a lithuania romania united kingdom top 3 but aint gonna happen

Aris
Aris
4 years ago

Sandro (Cyprus) will be joining Loreen as guests at the Romanian national final on March 1st!

Alex
Alex
4 years ago
Reply to  Aris

Ulrikke as well!

Aris
Aris
4 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Yas !!!

Mia
Mia
4 years ago
Reply to  Aris

Yay, that’s cool, can’t wait!

Lilli Eurofan
Lilli Eurofan
4 years ago

Do the bookmakers know more than we do?? Maybe Germany and Switzerland will serving us soms bops:P

Olivia Mac Arthur
Olivia Mac Arthur
4 years ago
Reply to  Lilli Eurofan

It’s more anticipation than anything else

Eurofan
Eurofan
4 years ago
Reply to  Lilli Eurofan

There’s a “teaser” of the Swiss entry on Twitter. In the video they are playing the song to the random people on the street and based on their description (i.e. very emotional) I assume that Switzerland song will be a ballad in a foreign language, possibly French.

monsieur_m
monsieur_m
4 years ago
Reply to  Eurofan

They aren’t random though. They’re radio people (at least some of them)

Timi
Timi
4 years ago
Reply to  Lilli Eurofan

They know more than we do. The Netherlands, several weeks before Arcade oficial release, was in a good spot without reason. The countries that are always in a good place are Sweden, Russia and Italy for obvious reasons; the others sometimes are there before the song release because bookies have good information that we don’t.

Polly
Polly
4 years ago

Something’s wrong here. Your calculations from UK odds to EU (decimal) odds are wrong and have always been.

Tom
Tom
4 years ago

It’s the first year that I agree with bookmakers TOP 3

Luke Armfield
Luke Armfield
4 years ago

Tomorrow there could be change again if the rumours are true the UK could move into top 10

Lomba
Lomba
4 years ago

Lets talk about this top 10, I see at least 3 countries that don’t have a song yet and they are somehow in there. Pretty much sums up how idiotic are the odds in that early stage.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
4 years ago
Reply to  Lomba

Yeah, it’s pretty clear that those countries are Highup in the odds only because of their past glory and history at Eurovision. Lithuania and Romania at the moment deserve their positions because they actually have released (or close to selecting) strong songs for the contest. Granted, I still think this is too early to do odds when there are 27 songs left to be revealed or chosen.

Sami
Sami
4 years ago
Reply to  Lomba

They are based on probabilities which take into account the historical voting patterns, success of these countries and to a certain extent rumours. For example before the melodifestivalen artists have even been announced we know that Sweden is more likely to win at that point than say Latvia because of the production value and the country’s music industry. Also historically a country like Russia has taken the competition very seriously and has a huge budget for staging their entry. They also tend to get points from former Soviet countries year after year. The odds just resemble the likelyhood of a… Read more »

Jonas
Jonas
4 years ago
Reply to  Lomba

Aren’t the odds just based on who people have placed a bet on? It’s not an endorsement, or any indication of quality. The songs are irrelevant. Like 2018, when Ireland rose to third favorite – that was purely because a whole load of Irish people got excited and placed a bet – it didn’t actually mean their chances of winning had increased.

Sami
Sami
4 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

Betfair odds work that way as it is a so called exchange site. Other sites only to a small extent.

Eurofan
Eurofan
4 years ago

We have only 14 selected entries so far, it’s way too early for the odds to be relevant.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
4 years ago
Reply to  Eurofan

Agreed

MagicaSpellman
MagicaSpellman
4 years ago

Curious about the german entry, even its probably going to be dirge.
We need some bops!

P!nk Forever
P!nk Forever
4 years ago
Reply to  MagicaSpellman

There’s been some wild guessing that it’s Benjamin Dolic who was on The Voice of Germany.

Lilli Eurofan
Lilli Eurofan
4 years ago
Reply to  MagicaSpellman

Right know the rumours are: Daniel Schuhmacher (winner of german idol 2009), Benjamin Dolic (Was a finalist of the “Voice of Germany” in 2018) and Marie Reim (Daughter of Michelle – the german representative of 2001).
I think that Germany might have a decent entry this year. Bookmakers know more than we do 😛