Eurovision Song Contest odds updated and it's not good news for the UK's Olly Alexander

Editor Stephen Hill  9th May 2024

The highly anticipated Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in Malmö, Sweden, and the grand final is just days away. Following the first semi-final held on Tuesday, the second semi-final is set to take place on Thursday. 

The acts that receive the most votes in the semi-finals will qualify for the grand final that will take place in Malmö Arena on Saturday evening.   

According to Ladbrokes, Croatia, represented by singer Baby Lasagna, is the clear favorite to win the song contest this weekend, with odds of 10/11. 

Switzerland and Ukraine follow closely behind, with odds of 7/2 and 7/1 respectively. Ireland's act, Bambie Thug, has improved in the odds, moving up to fourth place with odds of 9/1. Italy is currently in fifth place with odds of 10/1.  

However, Ladbrokes is not optimistic about Olly Alexander, who is representing the United Kingdom with the song Dizzy. 

The odds are currently at 66/1, and Ladbrokes lists the odds of the UK finishing in last place as 5/1. Additionally, the bookmaker offers odds of 16/1 on the country scoring nil points in the grand final on Saturday.  

The latest odds from Ladbrokes list the favourites as Croatia, Switzerland, Ukraine, Ireland, Italy, and France. The Netherlands, Israel, Finland, Greece, and the UK are the next in line with odds of 20/1, 33/1, 66/1, 66/1, and 66/1 respectively.   

Towards the end of the list, Serbia, Czechia, Portugal, San Marino, Latvia, and Malta all have odds of 250/1, 300/1, 300/1, 300/1, 500/1, and 500/1 respectively. It's worth noting that some of the countries in the odds have yet to qualify for the grand final, and they will take part in the second semi-final on Thursday.   

The first semi-final saw Cyprus, Serbia, Lithuania, Ireland, Ukraine, Croatia, Slovenia, Finland, Portugal, and Luxembourg qualify for the final. Poland, Iceland, Moldova, Azerbaijan, and Australia did not qualify.   

The second semi-final, airing on Thursday, will see Malta, Albania, Greece, Switzerland, Czechia, Austria, Denmark, Armenia, Latvia, San Marino, Georgia, Belgium, Estonia, Israel, Norway, and the Netherlands. The Eurovision Song Contest continues with its second semi-final airing on Thursday from 8 pm on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, 

BBC Radio 2, and BBC Sounds. The grand final will be broadcast on the same platforms on Saturday from 8 pm.