PartialLogo
Showbiz

Betting preview & tips for first Eurovision Song Contest semi-final in Tel Aviv

Semi-final One | Australian vocalist could resonate with voters

Australia's Kate Miller-Heidke impressed in the first Eurovision semi-final
Australia's Kate Miller-Heidke impressed in the first Eurovision semi-finalCredit: Graham Denholm

Semi-final One

BBC Four, 8pm Tuesday

A wide-open, if weak-looking, first Eurovision semi-final takes place in Tel Aviv and Greece, 5-4 favourites for the semi, are as big as 50-1 to win the overall contest.

Either the outright odds are a gift from Zeus himself or the price for the semi-final is far too short. It is tempting to put Greece up for the outright win but gut feeling suggests their semi-final odds are wrong.

Greece’s act is vocally flawless but it sounds as though it could have been a contender in 1999 and that kind of dated performance doesn’t tend to do well in semi-finals.

Of the other main contenders, Cyprus sounded vocally shaky in rehearsals, Slovenia’s act is too dull, and Iceland’s BDSM bonanza probably isn’t jury-friendly enough to get close to the win.

That leaves Australia among the market leaders. Kate Miller-Heidke brings a technically phenomenal vocal performance to her act given the acrobatics involved in the routine. That should ensure a positive response from juries and if the 'popera' style of the song resonates with televoters the Aussies should be in contention for victory.

Australia have a decent draw in slot 12 and producers have placed the act just after a commercial break, which is generally seen as a positive berth in the running order.

Of the major firms only Ladbrokes, Coral and bet365 are betting to three places, so punters should keep an eye on each-way terms if backing Australia at 7-2 to win the semi. That is certainly a valid option but preference is for the 10-11 about a top-ten finish for the Aussies in the overall contest.

On paper, Estonia have a great slot in stall 14 but they are surrounded by a lot of the better acts, including Iceland, so could easily end up being forgotten.

Their act is an up-tempo dance track similar in style to 2012 winner Euphoria but that sound can come across as somewhat tired at this stage of the contest.

They have failed to qualify for the final in three of the last four runnings and, of the five countries who have awarded them the most points, only one – Iceland – votes on this semi-final. Quotes of 7-4 about them missing out on Saturday’s final are worth taking.

Recommendations
Australia to finish in top ten of final
5pts 10-11 Sky Bet
Estonia not to qualify
1pt 7-4 general


Follow us on Twitter

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport

Published on 13 May 2019inShowbiz

Last updated 19:24, 13 May 2019

iconCopy