Portugal has edged ahead of Sweden and Bulgaria to become second favourite across bookies today – a remarkable feat for a country yet to better sixth place at the contest.

Punter confidence in Portugal continues to hold strong, as Salvador Sobral’s sister Luísa takes the reins at rehearsals while he is unable to perform. Although Italy is still some way off at less than evens, if reality reflects bookmakers’ confidence, the country is in for its best ever placing.

Top ten climbers and newcomers

Further down the ten, Finland’s climb continues, with the country ending today as seventh favourite overall. The country is joined by another newcomer to the top ten: Denmark, which squeezes in just behind Norma John in eighth place.

The two climbers coke at the expense of Belgium and France, both forced out of the top ten favourites for now. France’s exit makes Italy, at the number one favourite spot, the only automatic finalist in the top ten.

One great leap for the UK…

Lying well outside the top ten for some time, you could almost have missed the UK’s great leap in the betting odds today. After languishing down the table for some time, today’s rehearsal must have impressed; Lucie now sits at a respectable 14th favourite averaged across the bookies. Greece and Estonia have slipped somewhat, resting just below the British entry by the end of today.

Tomorrow sees the final individual rehearsals for most of the second semifinalists, including Denmark. Can the country continue its dramatic lift-off?