As the performers in Vienna stand on the watershed between rehearsal and the real thing, we take another look at the state of play with bookmakers before the live shows get underway.

In the last 24 hours, there has been a notable shift in confidence towards Norway, which has leapt up a few places to seventh in the favourites to win, and is now snapping at Finland’s heels. Odds on a Finnish win, on the other hand, are lengthening noticeably, with one bookmaker offering 33-1 after weeks at much shorter odds.

Steadily climbing

Latvia, too, steadily climbs, after a series of impressive showings from Aminata in Vienna. Unlike the other recent surprise climber, Cyprus, Latvia continues to build on gains made after the country’s first rehearsal. Belgium, a little lower down, joins them as a rising semifinalist, and one to watch as one of the competitors in tomorrow’s live show.

The recent big surprise of the automatic qualifiers, France, continues to gather momentum as punters place their cash on Lisa Angell. France rises a couple of places in the favourites table, almost – but not quite – breaking into the top ten favourites.

Everything to play for?

With Sweden, Italy and Australia still barring the top three from entry, bookmakers have none of tomorrow’s live performers higher than fourth favourite to win this year’s contest. Russia is the punters’ best guess, at as little as 6-1, and once again overtaking Estonia in fifth place.

Should both countries get through tomorrow night, we can expect a flurry of activity, and – just possibly – a shuffling of the favourites that might upset the bookies’ iron triad.