Confidence in France had been respectably strong already in the run-up to Lisbon. However, today’s swell takes the country to single-figure odds with the majority of bookmakers.

France’s race forward is the spectacular move in the odds today, although it takes the limelight from another big mover: Australia. Like France, Jessica Mauboy was already highly fancied by punters, standing in the fourth favourite position yesterday. She now moves up to occupy the third favourite position behind France’s “Mercy”, also on single figures with some outlets.

The emergence of France and Australia as top three favourites comes at the expense of the Czechia and Bulgaria, both nudged down but still within the top five. Both rehearsed today, to mixed reception from fans following the proceedings online. Reports emerged today that Czech hopeful Mikolas had hurt his back, perhaps another reason for the slight slip in odds.

Despite a somewhat muted response from fans after the first Israeli rehearsal, Netta is still riding high as the favourite on fractional odds.

The top ten across bookies for the win is as follows this evening:

After the first tranche of semifinal rehearsals today, Lithuania steps forward as the biggest winner. After a well-received performance of “When We’re Old”, the country is now tipped as an expected qualifier, pushing Armenia out of the top ten. The full standings are otherwise little changed, and are as follows:

Stay tuned for more mixing and shaking after tomorrow’s rehearsals!