Eurovision 2022 Semi-Final 1 Odds, Picks & Preview

Eurovision 2022 Semi-Final Betting Preview

The first Eurovision semi-final is rapidly approaching with 17 countries participating on 10th May for a place in the Eurovision final. For those less familiar about Eurovision, only 10 countries qualify from each semi-final and they join the “Big Six” to make up 26 countries in the final.

• The voting in the Eurovision semi-finals is split 50/50, 50% of the vote is from the public and 50% is from the juries
• Viewers in all countries taking part in the first semi-final are invited to vote via the Eurovision app on the result
• Professional juries in all countries taking part in the first Eurovision semi-final are required to vote in that semi-final
• The running order for Eurovision makes a huge difference in terms of results, see below the running order for the first Eurovision semi-final

Eurovision 2022 Semi-Final 1 Running Order

• Albania: Ronela Hajati – Sekret
• Latvia: Citi Zēni – Eat Your Salad
• Lithuania: Monika Liu – Sentimentai
• Switzerland: Marius Bear – Boys Do Cry
• Slovenia: LPS – Disko
• Ukraine: Kalush Orchestra – Stefania
• Bulgaria: Intelligent Music Project – Intention
• Netherlands: S10 – De Diepte
• Moldova: Zdob şi Zdub & Frații Advahov – Trenulețul
• Portugal: MARO – Saudade, Saudade
• Croatia: Mia Dimšić – Guilty Pleasure
• Denmark: REDDI – The Show
• Austria: LUM!X feat. Pia Maria – Halo
• Iceland: Systur – Með Hækkandi Sól
• Greece: Amanda Georgiadi Tenfjord – Die Together
• Norway: Subwoolfer – Give That Wolf A Banana
• Armenia: Rosa Linn – Snap

Eurovision 2022 Semi-Final 1 Odds

Ukraine are the strong favorites in the Eurovision semi-final 1 odds market with a very unique entry and will have the backing of the majority of Europe on Saturday night. They are currently 1/2 to win the first Eurovision semi-final.

Greece are the second-favourites to win the opening Eurovision semi-final; their odds are currently around the 7/2 mark (best price 5/1).

Albania have drawn the short straw in opening up proceedings and are seventh favourites in the semi-final 1 odds market with Unibet offering odds of 80/1.

Albania are unlikely to win from this position as their act relies heavily on a good draw. This will mean their odds in the main Eurovision odds market will drift following the first semi-final though, which I will be looking to take advantage of.

Eurovision 2022 Semi Final Picks & Predictions

Austria To Qualify from Eurovision Semi-Final 1 – 11/10 (1pt)

There are plenty of acts around the middle-end of the market you could make a case for qualifying and, on the flip side, narrowly missing out. An example of that is Latvia, who have been given a tough draw and may struggle to make it through at 4/6.

Austria needed a good draw and they’ve got it. It’s a memorable song and the party will be in full swing by they come to the stage.

I'm happy to take Austria at anything above evens so 11/10 looks good value for them to qualify and make the final on Saturday.

Croatia To Qualify from Eurovision Semi-Final 1 – 9/4 (1pt)

This one is a bit of a risk as Croatia could go the same way as last year, where they became the first country ever to qualify via the public and jury votes but not overall. There a lot of unique acts in this semi-final with some great staging and lighting which might sway the public vote towards them rather than Mia Dimšić, who will essentially be singing on her own.

There are two things in Croatia's favour though - the vocals on the song are very good which should mean plenty of votes from the judges and it has been given a good draw, performing 11th out of 17.

Based on that, I'm willing to take a punt on them squeaking though Semi-Final 1 to appear in Saturday's final at11/4.