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Eurovision 2021 Favourites And Odds: Who Is Favourite To Win Singing Competition?

Eurovision 2021 Favourites And Odds: Who Is Favourite To Win Singing Competition?

From the bookies' favourite to the dark horses, we've compiled the ones to watch ahead of the final

Robert Mann

Robert Mann

It's been a long road to get there, but this weekend will finally see the return of the Eurovision Song Contest.

Almost two years after Duncan Laurence gave the Netherlands its first win in more than 40 years, a new host of singers from around Europe and beyond are hoping they can bring home the trophy for their countries.

Malta and Switzerland were both early frontrunners, but the betting market has since seen Italy come out on top, with France breathing down their necks as the competition nears.

Italy have emerged as the new Eurovision Song Contest favourites
Italy have emerged as the new Eurovision Song Contest favourites

The acts have been chosen via national finals over the last few months - with some of 2020's performers returning - and experts have been sussing out who will win for weeks now.

Jordan Cox, trader at Star Sports, said: "The smart money was on Malta, but everything that could go wrong for the long-term favourites, has gone wrong.

"Meanwhile, Italy and France are fighting for favouritism after landing themselves favourable draws which will see them perform towards the end of the show, a move that is sure to leave a lasting impression among viewers."

Based on Star Sports' stats - and online chatter among Eurovision fans - here are five of the acts and songs to keep an eye out for during this year's grand final.

Måneskin - Zitti E Buoni

Representing: Italy

Odds: 2/1

Rock and Eurovision aren't normally two music concepts you would immediately associate with one another, but Finnish winners Lordi and Icelandic faves Hatari both prove it can be done well at the competition.

This year, Italian rock group Måneskin are hoping their unique approach to Eurovision can help bring something unique to the contest, and so far, people seem pretty taken with them, topping of the bookies' odds in the days before the competition.

We'll admit the first time we heard Zitti E Buoni we weren't exactly sold, but on repeat listens, it's actually a lot catchier than first impressions would suggest.

Barbara Pravi - Voilà

Representing: France

Odds: 3/1

Barbara Pravi will represent France at this year's contest with the beautifully sung 'Voila', which is sure to go down a treat with Eurovision fans.

With only one top-ten finish in the past decade, France does have something to prove in this year's competition.

Right from the opening line, Pravi commands attention and, even without understanding the French language, the sentiment of 'Voila' is loud and clear.

However, a song sung entirely in French hasn't won since Celine's Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi for Switzerland in 1988, but Pravi could definitely buck that trend and secure a top-three spot, at least.

Destiny - Je Me Casse

Representing: Malta

Odds: 6/1

Malta are one of the favourites to win this year's competition and, after listening to Destiny's Je Me Casse - a French slang phrase, meaning to make a quick exit - it's not hard to see why.

Both sassy and empowering, Je Me Casse is an ode to female empowerment - telling the story of a man who tries to get together with a woman, offering to buy her drinks in a bar while using cliché pickup lines.

But the woman has no interest and is frustrated with the guy's unwelcomed advances - all she really wants is to have a good time on the dance floor because, well, who doesn't?

Aged only 18, Destiny has already achieved so much in her short musical career and, with the 2021 contest on the horizon, we can only imagine much more success of her is yet to come.

Gjon's Tears - Tout L'Univers

Representing: Switzerland

Odds: 7/1

Switzerland internally selected Gjon's Tears and his song 'Répondez-moi' for last year's contest - the country's first entry to be sung in French since 2010.

The song discussed some of the big questions that come to mind when reflecting on life - and it looks like they've gone for the same theme again this year.

In another French-language ballad, Gjon's Tears serenades listeners in the lyrics of 'Tout l'Univers' to move forward with love in their hearts, despite the struggles that they might face in life.

With a powerful message that's bound to resonate with many, my only question is: how many people, despite how beautifully it's sung, will be able to understand the lyrics and its true meaning?

Go_A - Shum

Representing: Ukraine

Odds: 8/1

Eurovision isn't Eurovision without a bonkers song that you would literally hear nowhere else - and it would be a more homogenous placer without acts like Go_A.

Shum will be the first-ever song to be performed at Eurovision entirely in Ukranian and Go_A's brand of electronica mixed with folk music is, without a shadow of a doubt, different from any other entry this year.

Look, it's not everyone's cup of tea, but they've got the balance right between traditional folk music an ever-increasing club beat that makes you feel slightly entranced.

Bonkers, regional and, well, unique - Shum is that bad, that it's actually good - and perhaps Europe will take a liking to it, too.

Eurovision 2021 betting odds

  • Italy 2/1
  • France 3/1
  • Malta 6/1
  • Switzerland 7/1
  • Ukraine 8/1
  • Iceland 12/1
  • Finland 22/1
  • San Marino 40/1
  • Portugal 40/1

80/1 bar. Odds are correct at the time of publication and are, as always, subject to change.

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Topics: Europe, Music, TV & Film, Eurovision