Melodifestivalen 2021 may not be traveling from arena to arena on its usual grand tour of Sweden. But producers have definitely made up for that by assembling a standout line up that includes former Melodifestivalen winners like Eric Saade and The Mamas, and Melodifestivalen and Eurovision winner Charlotte Perrelli. But if the Melodifestivalen 2021 betting odds are anything to go by, it’s two-time runner-up Danny Saucedo who is the one to watch.
Melodifestivalen 2021 odds: Danny Saucedo favourite to win
Swedish betting site Svenska Spel currently lists Danny as the favourite to win with odds of 3.85. Danny co-wrote his song “Dandi Dansa” — just as he did back in 2011 and 2012 when he placed second with “In the Club” (behind Eric Saade) and “Amazing” (behind Loreen). Given that both of the songs that beat him came Top 3 at Eurovision, he can hold his head high with the confidence he always plays with the big boys (and girls).
Obviously it’s very early to make much of the betting odds. However, bookies often have contacts within the music industry and always have their ears to the ground. It’s very possible they have insider information which may inform their odds. The only problem is it’s hard to know when they’re on it and when they’re not…
Last year’s first set of odds doesn’t inspire that much confidence though. On November 27, 2019, their favourite to win Melfest 2020 was Felix Sandman, followed by Hanna Ferm, Victor Crone, Mariette, Robin Bengtsson and Mohombi. The Mamas, who ultimately won, were way down as 10th favourite with eventual runner-up Dotter down in 11th.
Melodifestivalen 2021: Other favourites
Danny may have the shortest odds, but there are several acts jostling for the top spot.
Eric Saade, among Sweden’s most-loved pop stars, can never be taken lightly. He’s currently second favourite with Svenska Spel with odds of 5.80.
Writing on Instagram, he made it clear that his 2021 song has special meaning for him.
“During this strange year, I have written music in English again, for the first time in 4 years. During a period when I was very happy in an almost unhealthy way, I wrote the song ‘Every Minute’ at the end of the summer. I will premiere it in Mello! Because I love Melodifestivalen and this sad year has made me miss the stage so much! Now I get to do what I love most, create!”
This is Eric’s fourth Melfest appearance. He previously represented Sweden at Eurovision 2011 with “Popular” and last competed at Mello 2015 with “Sting”.
Dotter lost the closest Melodifestivalen in history earlier this year, and the hashtag #Dotterdam remains popular among Eurofans. She’s currently third favourite with odds of 6.80. Her song “Little Tot” has a playful name, which left one wiwiblogger wondering if it might be about those fried snacks we all had at school as kids. Regardless, she’s riding a wave of momentum from last year’s contest. Surely she will make the most of it.
What is Dotter’s “Little Tot” about?
— Robyn Gallagher (@robynesc) December 2, 2020
Could The Mamas go three-for-three, three years in a row? Well the bookies think they are in contention. They are currently fourth favourite with odds of 8.10 with their song “In the Middle”. We were rather amused when a commenter on our Instagram suggested the title was a play on Dotter’s “Bulletproof” lyrics (“Just shoot me in the middle, where my heart’s supposed to be…”). Lulu confirmed in the comments section that they did not even think about that and have nothing but respect for Dotter.
Melodifestivalen 2021 Bookmakers’ Odds – 6 December
1. Danny Saucedo 3.85
2. Eric Saade 5.80
3. Dotter 6.80
4. The Mamas 8.10
4. Tusse 8.10
6. Charlotte Perrelli 14.50
7. Anton Ewald 23.00
8. Paul Rey 25.00
8. Mustasch 25.00
10. Frida Green 28.00
11. Kadiatou 32.00
12. Patrik Jean 36.00
13. Arvingarna 39.00
14. Alvaro Estrella 42.00
14. Emil Assergård 42.00
16. Sannex 52.00
17. Efraim Leo 65.00
18. Nathalie Brydolf 70.00
18. Jessica Andersson 70.00
18. Lovad 70.00
18. Tess Merkel 70.00
18. Elisa Lindström 70.00
23. Klara Hammarström 80.00
24. Lillasyster 85.00
25. WAHL feat SAMI 110.00
25. Clara Klingenström 110.00
27. Julia Alfrida 130.00
28. Eva Rydberg & Ewa Roos 250.00
Odds correct as of 16:20 GMT 6 December 2020.
What do you think of the odds? Who is underrated? Let us know in the comments.
Where are the songs lol ?
Let us wait for the songs. Who knows, we might be positively surprised by one of the other artists.
If last years ratings for favourites to win are anything to go by, then the current top 6 bookie favourites should get to the finals, whether DtF or AC. Of course its not always the case that a top contender goes to the finals – I am thinking of Loreen’s Statements a few years ago, alas.
Anyway, we will have to check in again in March 2021 to see if the top 6 in the bookings, ie Danny Saucedo, Eric Saade, Dotter, The Mamas, Tusse and Charlotte Perrelli get to the finals, just like the top 6 from 2020.
My favorites are Dotter, Eric and The mamas
i feel the odds are good for a pre-show but since there are quite a lot of newcomers and some old acts could potentially surprise us (i.e. Sauce bringing a swedish song), i feel it’ll take a long time to get the odds right. i feel there’s gonna be 1-2 odds underdog this year.
Imo in recent years Sweden hasn’t been very good. “Heroes” was the last song that I liked. And even this wasn’t in my top 5 that year. Hopefully this year will be better.
Usually, odds aren’t far off but last year, the Melfest odds last year were really wrong. They took a long time to get it right, too! It really could be anyone’s game.
It’s to early to predict. The odds aren’t wrong when they know the songs and public opinion. But to predict anything now is to early. Usually the eventual winner is found at 7th or 8th place in the first prediction. That is either Anton Ewald or Paul Rey..
I want a total surprise next year, I want a complete underdog surprising everyone…rather see a female winner than a male, sorry but really miss female performers from Sweden…Even though the Mamas won we all know this year kind of didn’t count….
I actually also think a complete underdog could win, like Frans did. Kadiatou would be something, with those writers. I also think Tusse could be big, Christer Björkman praised him highly when he guest judged Idol and I don’t think he would have just given him any kind of song.
I agree that countries like Sweden, Italy (and both Montenegro and Hungary, when they were in) should opt on sending female vocalists more often. Then again, I’d say that Albania, Malta and Greece should try sending men more often, so when all countries are taken in account, it kinda gets balanced out.
Internal selections don’t really have an excuse for going with the same gender all the time but when it comes to NF, it’s whatever song is the best, really. Don’t think Sweden (possibly, 2016?), Italy or Hungary have really sent a male artist at the expense of a better female entry. Same in the reverse for Albania.
2016 – YMMV, most fans who don’t like Frans seem to think that Oscar should have gone instead.
2017- Loreen over Robin 10000%
2018 – Jessica might’ve been fun, but Felix clearly had the best song in a weak year
2019 – John probably had the best package.
I think the fatigue with male talent isn’t necessarily with the winners, but the overall rankings. You have the likes of Loreen losing her AC duel to Anton doing a Shawn Mendes tribute act, Bishara coming second over Anna, Wiktoria and Lisa submitting their best MelFest songs, and other similar results.
Sure, when the national selections are in question, the song should come first are foremost. Fans sometimes only ponder on coincidences. 😉 Now it comes to a very personal taste ( 🙂 ), but I think that most of the time neither Melfest or FiK winner were my personal winners in the last few years, with the exception of Jonida Maliqui. However, they often picked a song from my top 5 or nearby, with the exception of Melfest in 2018 (I think I had plenty of songs performed by men and women ahead of Dance You Off). Also, I wasn’t… Read more »
I mean I do not hate on Sweden for sending male artists, I am just saying that it gets a bit repetitive even though they are different and have different styles. It is like working from home, in the beginning you love it but after a while you just want to jump out the window or something to get some change of scenery…It have it’s perks but in the end you want something else.
Could be a third time lucky as a solo artist for Danny, who knows.
I just want his song to be on a par with his previous two if not bigger.
I hope dotter sends another bulletproof level, amazing mid tempo song.
I also hope Anton, Charlotte and Eric are sending great upbeat happy tracks also.
(I don’t know why but I am feeling good about Sweden this year, good luck from the UK)
as much as I love the Mamas, I really don’t want to see Gospel with the same singers for the 3rd time in the row. And yeah my favourites are the top 3 of the odds + Anton Ewald and I’m also excited about Julia Alfrida and Klara – doubt they’ll win tho. Dotter’s song description sounds soooo interesting tho
Actually they were not the artists with John. Just side kicks.
They very well could’ve been tho given how much spark they gave that performance – John Lundvik ft. The Mamas is what should’ve been, they were more than just sidekicks/backupsingers
agree 100%, it should’ve been John Lundvik &/ft. The Mamas
This quartet sure makes for a titillating narrative.
How much can I get if I’ll be the only person in the word put 1 euro on Eva Rydberg & Ewa Roos and they win?
Danny’s gonna do a Lena Philipsson – coming back after a long absence to finally collect his deserved win.
I don’t think the sauce is gonna be as tasteful as most of people expect. On the contrary I believe Dotter and Eric will be tough competition for the Mamas.
I think Saade is more of a candidate than Danny. Danny has a Swedish song and we never vote on those to win. That said I don’t think any of them will win. I still predict Dotter, she follows the pattern of previos winners: Competing one year ,doesn’t win but comes back next year and wins.Plus she is still a fresh face where as Danny and Eric are veterans
Actually we do. Then they get translated. Its new times now. A swedish song in swedish we could send again.
As long as there is a jury it won’t be a winner in Swedish..
i dont believe that anymore
No song in swedish has won melfest in more than ten years…
Yes, but that’s mostly because very few have been worthy of winning – it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy. If one good enough comes along, it can win, or at least top the televote.
i know. its new times now. Everyone is in swedish in the swedish charts now.
Somehow, I also have the feeling that it’s gonna be Dotter or possibly the Mamas again.
May the best song win, hopefully..
I can’t see international juries giving either of them a victory based on sentiment (also Dotter didn’t win, so it’s not like she was robbed in the way the would be class of 2020 were). Maybe the televote but that tends to have a very male bias anyway.
I can, because these juries aren’t as independent as the Eurovision ones – they seem to be fans, familiar with all that has happened before.
John, Benjamin, Robin all won on their second attempt, though. Eric and Loreen too. This is Dotter’s third try as singer, fifth as songwriter. She’s not that new.
Well, her first time around she wasnt established. By her second time she became superstar
Caroline af Ugglas came very close in 2009 … and she got 10 from that year’s single international jury
10 isn’t 12, is it? The point of having an international jury is to find songs that works in Eurovision that you can compete with, in other words English songs. That is why Swedish jury was abandoned..