Eurovision 2025 set to be a two-way race as Irish win looks unlikely
Austria's odds of winning this year's Eurovision Song Contest have been cut to 5/2 as the competition gets under way in Basel this week, turning the title race into a two-way tussle.
Ladbrokes now predicts that Sweden - with odds of 11/10 - and Austria will duel for top honours come Saturday night. A double Eurovision winner, Austria last took the title in 2014, while Sweden aims to dethrone Ireland as the contest's most dominant by winning a record-setting eighth crown this year.
Alongside the two contenders, Ladbrokes has also lengthened France's odds to 10/1 from 7/1. Meanwhile, the UK and Ireland's chances of a win this week are looking increasingly slim, with odds of 66/1 and 100/1 respectively.
'It's looked like Sweden's contest to lose for a long time, but this odds shift is making people think again," said Ladbrokes' Cal Gildart. "Those who phone in to vote for Austria will be hoping their support isn't wasted love."
Previously, all signs had pointed towards a Swedish whitewash this year - with the seven-time champions the odds-on favourites to win last month. However, a late surge in support for Austria's entry, 'Wasted Love' by JJ has changed the complexion of the contest just days before the opening ceremony.
Outside of the top two, the chance still remains for a smaller nation to snatch a surprise win. With odds of 14/1, Belgium is well-placed to deliver a shock victory, with their entry Red Sebastian and his techno-flavoured single 'Strobe Lights'.
After a strong sixth place finish in last year's final, Ireland seeks to replicate Bambie Thug's success in 2025. 'Laika Party', penned by Norwegian singer-songwriter Emmy, fended off tough competition from Bobbi Arlo and Samantha Mumba to win this year's Eurosong. Taking the nomination with 34 points in hand, the song received the top score in both the jury and national vote.
Emmy will perform 'Laika Party' in the second semi-final on Thursday evening where she will be hoping to bag a place in Saturday's eagerly anticipated grand final in Basel, Switzerland.
Having competed in 46 finals as of this year, Ireland has firmly carved out its place in Eurovision history - but its accomplishments, such as an impressive four wins in the 1990s - have proven to be a double-edged sword over time.
With Eimear Quinn's 'The Voice' in 1996 the country's most recent Eurovision win to date, questions have been raised over whether Ireland could ever return to its winning ways. While the title favourites seem to be all but locked in, a return to fighting form in 2024 could mark the beginning of an Irish resurgence in the contest.
2025 Eurovision Song Contest contenders - odds
All betting odds taken from Ladbrokes and correct at the time of publication.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
20 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Paul Harrington on being a later life dad
'There isn't a love like it,' Eurovision winner Paul Harrington says of the joy his daughter Molly has brought to his life. Born when he was 60, being a later life dad comes with different challenges and rewards.
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Westlife tipped to play iconic Irish venue during 25th anniversary celebrations
Westlife have been tipped to play Slane Castle after the band announced they will head back on the road to celebrate their 25th anniversary. Westlife yesterday announced that they are set to return to the stage and release new music for their 25th anniversary. And, now, Slane has been tipped as a possible destination for their upcoming big concert dates. This comes after they performed sell-out gigs in Dublin's Croke Park, 3Arena and the Aviva Stadium and Cork's Páirc Uí Chaoimh in recent years. After announcing they are returning with new music and a string of special shows, Westlife fans are backing the group to take to the iconic Slane Castle stage next summer (2/1). However, the group, which consists of Nicky Byrne, Shane Filan and Kian Egan, will be celebrating their 25th anniversary without Mark Feehily, who won't be part of the group for this new era. He stepped away from the band two years ago due to ongoing health issues. Slane may be just the location for this massive celebration for the boyband. Cal Gildart of Ladbrokes commented: "We are unlucky to not have a Slane concert this year, but it could be the ideal location for Westlife to emerge from their hiatus. "They have such a massive following there is no doubt that Slane would pack out to see them looking like that." However, heir to Slane Castle, Alex Conyngham, declined to respond when contacted by us about the possibility of hosting the boys. A statement confirmed Westlife's comeback. It said: "To our amazing fans, we would like to take this opportunity to share some very important news with you all. "We are thrilled to announce the launch of our 25th Anniversary celebrations... On the 9th February 2001 we kicked off our first ever world tour at the Newcastle Arena. Who would have thought we would still be here 25 years later? We have so many exciting plans to share with you very soon which will include new music, an album, special shows and many, many more surprises along the way. "Sadly, Mark will be unable to join the celebrations. We hope he can join us back on stage when he is ready and able. He sends his love and positivity to you all as always. "The four of us can't quite believe it's been 25 years. We could only have dreamt of the continued love and loyalty you have consistently shown us around the world. We are so lucky to have all of you with us and we can't wait to celebrate together!" Elsewhere, odds have been slashed from 5/1 to 3/1 for Ed Sheeran to appear on the Electric Picnic main stage, according to Ladbrokes. The singer-songwriter is being eyed up for a spot on the main stage at Electric Picnic. After declaring his love for Ireland and identifying as "culturally Irish", fans are clamouring to see the solo artist make his way to Stradbally. Cal Gildart said: "Irish fans will be delighted to hear that Sheeran has now declared himself an honorary Irishman. The rumours are that we will be seeing him on the mainstage at the biggest festival in the Irish calendar."
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
US will take part in Putin's knock-off Eurovision song contest, Russia says… competing against Iran and China
THE US will compete against China and Iran in Putin's rip-off Eurovision song contest, according to Russian state media. Mad Vlad's mouthpiece media made the bizarre claim that Americans would sing in the Intervision 2025 Song Contest, Russia's bootleg version of the iconic competition. 6 Vladimir Putin mocked up as last year's Eurovision winner Nemo of Switzerland 6 Intervision ran between 1965 and 1968, and later between 1977 and 1980 Credit: East2West 6 Intervision is Putin's knock-off version of the iconic Eurovision Song Contest (pictured) Credit: The Mega Agency It comes after the bitter tyrant announced the Putin's country was booted out of the official Eurovision Song Contest following his bloody invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Their so-called source said: "Indeed, the United States has confirmed its participation in the Intervision. READ MORE WORLD NEWS "The names of the participants will be announced later." They gave no further details on American involvement in the competition. Earlier this year, Putin signed a decree for the Intervision Song Contest to be held in Moscow in September 2025. More than 25 of his ally countries are set to join his contest - including North Korea, Most read in The US Sun This sad attempt at recreating Eurovision will reportedly ban LGBT performers. Putin's Ukraine war toll tops 1 MILLION Russians dead & wounded 40 months into 'days-long operation'…with no end in sight, with Stephen Hall In Russia, rules now ban anything deemed to promote homosexuality, and the international LGBTQ movement is seen as an extremist organisation. Putin's move has been seen as an attempt to revive two similar flopped music contests from the Soviet era. Communist This was also aimed to bring together its allies in Eastern Europe and across the world, like Cuba. Intervision ran between 1965 and 1968, and later between 1977 and 1980. It is unclear if it will use its bizarre communist-era voting system when TV viewers turned their lights on or off to cast votes, with the results measured by electricity consumption. The 2025 version of the competition will reportedly showcase "traditional universal, spiritual and family values". This would be a sharp contrast to the flamboyance, art, and colour brought through Eurovision - like it's 2024 winner 6 Putin's media said that Americans will compete in the contest Credit: AP 6 The Intervision Song Contest was the Eastern Bloc's version of Eurovision Credit: East2West 6 Russia was banned from Eurovision in 2022 after Putin invaded Ukraine Credit: Alamy It is believed that Putin wants to relaunch the competition to separate Russia from what he says is the West's continued lack of respect for religious values and moral attitudes. A Russian planning document said: "Artists may not perform songs that call for violence, humiliate the honour and dignity of society, and it is required that political themes in the lyrics are completely excluded." Intervision will also aim to be 'developing international cultural and humanitarian cooperation', according to his presidential decree. This decree also claimed "the contest will be open for participation of all countries that wish to do so". Intervision is reportedly set to give performers four minutes on stage to sing in whatever language they like, according to documents seen by The winner will get prize money and go on tour. It is not known if Putin will seek to sing at the contest, as he famously did in 2010, performing Blueberry Hill at a live charity event in St Petersburg. The dictator's rendition went viral, as he sang in front of guests including Goldie Hawn , Kevin Costner, and Sharon Stone. Putin previously announced he wanted to stage the The tyrant postponed the competition by one year - and then indefinitely in a humiliating U-turn. The country has taken part in Eurovision 23 times since 1994. Russia was banned from Eurovision in 2022 after Putin sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine . The same year that Putin annexed Crimea from Ukraine, an Austrian drag queen popularly known as "the bearded lady," won Eurovision in 2014. This is thought to have been a turning point in Putin's desire to fully separate his country from Western values.
