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Betting on the future
The bookies' ten for tonight
Odds from the bookies can be seen as a kind of collective prediction on the part of thousands of punters who place their money on the songs they believe will do well. This year, a cross section of several online betting agencies reveals again that the intuition of the betting pundits closely follows many fan predictions.
Dead certs
Ukraine, Sweden, Bulgaria and Turkey are currently within the top five of all major online bookmakers, with Ukraine leading as the ‘dead cert’, much as Russia did in Tuesday’s odds.
Many people are putting their money behind highly-regarded Portugal too, as the country hopes for its first successful traversal of a Eurovision semi-final. With all bookmakers it enjoys a top-ten placing currently, rising to fifth favourite with one. Latvia joins Portugal as another solid top-tenner, with the novelty entry widely expected to sail through.
On shaky ground
Switzerland, perhaps surprisingly after enjoying status as a fan favourite, is struggling to stay in the bookies’ top ten, slipping outside it on some betting slips. However, fans of Poland and Israel can testify that long odds are no guarantee of failure, after proving punters wrong on Tuesday and sailing through to the final.
Enjoying similarly hedged bets and not-so-confident support are Iceland, Denmark, Georgia, Albania, Hungary, Croatia and FYR Macedonia, who share the remaining top ten slots across the different bookmakers. Perhaps a sign that it will be amongst these that the big fight for the bottom five final tickets takes place tonight.
The top ten odds across the bookies looks like this, just three hours away from the event:
| willhill.co.uk | coral.co.uk | paddypower.com | nordicbet.com | |
| 1 | Ukraine | Ukraine | Ukraine | Ukraine |
| 2 | Sweden | Sweden | Bulgaria | Sweden |
| 3 | Turkey | Bulgaria | Turkey | Latvia |
| 4 | Bulgaria | Turkey | Sweden | Turkey |
| 5 | Latvia | Portugal | Hungary | Bulgaria |
| 6 | Portugal | Albania | FYR Macedonia | Switzerland |
| 7 | Iceland | Hungary | Albania | Portugal |
| 8 | Denmark | FYR Macedonia | Latvia | Iceland |
| 9 | Croatia | Latvia | Iceland | Georgia |
| 10 | Switzerland | Georgia | Georgia | Denmark |
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Wow... There's Latvia everyhwere!
I didn't expect it. That's nice! Nice to see that the forecasts are getting so precise to results!
I am really hoping Iceland, Switzerland, Ukraine, Bulgaria and Turkey get through, I don't think Iceland or Switzerland will get through though although I hope I am wrong, but awful entries from FYR Macedonia and Belarus will probably get through ahead of them.
Even though I argue about the diaspora voting and all that I think Portugal though will get through now. I ain't crazy about the song but I really like Vania herself, she comes across really nice, and I think it has an appeal for eastern voters. If it doesn't it or Switzerland would probably get that jury place but I don't think Portugal will need it.
Let's Vodka tonight...and let's have a Eurovision under the sun and sea.....let's go to Malta:-)
Ani gave a great performance and looked very professional during rehearsals. I'm not very keen on her song though. She will qualify of course.
My vote will probably go to Turkey or Iceland. It depends on the live performances tonight.
And I hope that Charlotte will make it to the final 
I will vote for Albania. What a sweet girl!
Best songs for tonight:
Portugal, Albania, Switzerland, Croatia, Hungary and Cyprus!
Hope this 6 perform well!
Vote for Portugal people!
Not only is the Portuguese song wonderfully well-sung, worthy of a 1st place, as it is the just thing to do.
i'm sorry but my last comment didn't appeared. i don't understand how the third bookie didn't choose portugal and switzerland. portugal is even a possible winner!
Good luck Morena.
Vote for Portugal people!
Not only is the Portuguese song wonderfully well-sung, worthy of a 1st place, as it is the just thing to do.
Good Luck Portugal!
Although these are the predictions for only the 2nd semi, I agree that Ukraine should be in 1st placw. It would be REALLY great if Ukraine did win!!! I would love Ani to win, rather than Diva Bilan, who will probably win 
Go Ani! 
HOPE THAT THE UK WILL GIVE HIGH PTS FOR MALTA..AFTER LAST YEAR 12PTS TO SCOOTH.
go go Latvia.. good luck from Latvian people
come on iceland..... can only countries in tonights semi vote?? I in Ireland so no voting for me so???
Best of luck to Turkey, Bulgaria, Croatia and Fyr Macedonia, they are certainly on my wish list for tonight. Secretly hope for Denmark and Malta to make it through, and Portugal who really deserves it.
Malta Will Pass!!
MORENA YOUR THE DIVA 4 TOINGHT
A VERY GOOD LUCK 4 THE 3MIN PERFORMANCE!
GOODLUCK TO ALL PARTICIPANTS =]
GO MALTA!
GO VODKA!
GO MORENA!
Croatia & Latvia!? xD Yeah, whatever!
My top 10 :
1. Portugal
2. Albania
3. Cyprus
4. Ukraine
5. Sweden
6. Czech Republic
7. Georgia
8. Hungary
9. Bulgaria
10. Iceland
GO PORTUGAL!
Good Luck Malta and Morena!! You deserve to qualify!!! Vodka kisses xxxxx! 
MALTA TO PASS!!!
I don't understand how the third bookmarker didn't choose Portugal and Switzerland. 2 of the best this year. Portugal is evena possible winner. And Ukraine is always in first?! Just don't understand.
Anyway, Hugs for evryone!
My top 10 for tonight:
12: Iceland
10: Switzerland
08: Ukraine
07: Turkey
06: Sweden
05: Malta
04: Portugal
03: Bulgaria
02: Denmark
01: Hungary
I REALLY LIKE SWEDEN, BELARUS AND GEORGIA. I DISAGREE WITH UKRAINE I THE 1ST PLACE!
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