SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Bookmakers have placed Russia’s Sergey Lazarev as early favourite to win Eurovision 2016 (Stockholm Globe Arena 14 May).
Desperate for victory at the 61st edition of the Pan-European song contest, Russia announced Lazarev as its official Eurovision contestant last December.
Since the announcement, the 32-year-old Muscovite has been touring Russia performing Eurovision entry ‘You Are the Only One’.
The extensive promotion of Lazarev has seen the majority of bookmakers place the pop-artist as early Eurovision market leader priced at 2/1.
However, Russia’s plans to land their second Eurovision title (winning in Belgrade 2008), could very well be upset by hosts Sweden who have entered 19-year-old singer songwriter Frans Jeppsson Wall, known as ‘Frans’ with song entry ‘If I Were Sorry’.
The popular Frans has placed as the second favourite at 5/1, with six-time winner Sweden looking to land back-to-back Eurovision titles becoming the first country to achieve this feat since Ireland in 1992 (Malmo) and 1993 (Cork).
Great Britain will be represented by BBC ‘Eurovision You Decide’ winners Joe & Jake with entry ‘You’re Not Alone’.
Following recent abysmal performances by Great Britain at the contest, which last year saw Electro Velvet finish second last with ‘Still in Love’, bookmakers appear to be icy cold on Joe & Jake win placing the duo at 70/1.
