An already highly fancied Portugal has edged ahead with bookies today, with shortening odds that move the country into contention for second place with Bulgaria.

Salvador Sobral’s climb now makes Portugal third favourite on average across bookmakers, pushing Sweden’s Robin Bengtsson into fourth place. But the scrap is definitely still on, with Bulgaria, Portugal and Sweden all occupying odds positions of around 6 to 12/1.

Ahead of the pack is still a seemingly unstoppable Italy. Odds on Francesco Gabbani continue to shorten, with an Italian win now netting only 50% profit with some bookies.

No new challengers from semi 2

Two days of rehearsals for the second semifinalists have done little to shake the standings up with bookies. Bulgaria and Romania remain the only countries from Thursday’s show in the top ten.

Meanwhile, Denmark and Estonia creep upwards, now occupying 11th and 12th favourite positions, pushing first semifinalist Finland down into 13th. Like Finland, momentum seems to have stalled for Netherlands and Greece, which enjoyed brief rises over the past few days.

Here we go again…

With the first semifinalists set to return to the stage tomorrow, can they consolidate their hold on the top ten? And can Belgium, which has slipped somewhat after a strong start, hold onto its spot at the bottom of the frontrunners?