Betting tips / Paul Bugeja / 24 May 2012 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

Eliot Pollak likes the look of the second favourite in the second Eurovision semi-final on Thursday because, it would seem, pop is IN!

It's farewell for the Trackshittaz, your favourite Austrian hip-hop boy-band, but for ten other countries, the Eurovision dream lives on, having qualified for the final.

Congratulations to Iceland, Greece, Albania, Romania, Cyprus, Denmark, Russia, Hungary, Moldova and Ireland. See you 8pm Saturday - don't you dare be late.

Ten more spots are up for grabs in Thursday night's second semi. You may wish to vote for Sweden, who are almost certain to stroll through into the final. Priced at 1.02 to qualify, 1.21 to finish in the top three and 1.77 to win the semi, Sweden have already been backed to win the whole shebang by the influential OGAE fanclubs. The OGAE acts as a shadow contest, voted for by Eurovision keenos, and has predicted the winner twice in the last five years.

Elsewhere, I predict a strong showing for Serbia with their song 'Love is not an Object'. Željko Joksimović competed back in 2004 (for Serbia & Montenegro) when he finished second behind the Ukraine. Serbia sit in second place behind Sweden in all three markets for tomorrow evening, but include an attractive 6.4 to win the vote. Even the 1.43 on finishing top-three tomorrow night may be value, given Joksimović's win in the '04 semi.

By contrast, Macedonia's Kaliopi Bukle entered for her country in 1996, and didn't even break through the semis. If you think 'Black and White' is no better than 'Only You', Macedonia could be a decent lay to qualify at 1.89.

Who else may struggle? Well on last night's evidence, upbeat pop is on the rise over heavy rock and maudlin ballads in these economically-doomed times. People want cheering up, and they may not fancy Norway's crooning Tooji or the Ukraine's souly Gaitana. Both can be laid to finish in the top three at 1.15 and 1.35 respectively.

No doubt the Azeri authorities are guzzling up this column eager for advice so I'll end with a tip.

Yes, we know this whole thing costs a fortune to hold so naturally you have priced it accordingly.

And yes, we know that the only people in your country who can afford such a fee are oligarch types.

But with the front rows full of suited-snarling businessmen spending much of the time checking their phones, it doesn't do much for atmosphere (starting the shows at midnight local time probably isn't great either).

Consider importing a few lovely ladies or failing that, camp homosexuals into those seats.

My pleasure - don't mention it.