May 09, 2011 16:41 BST Eurovision Odds Suggest France Is The Country To Beat In The 2011 Eurovision Song Contest

The 59th Eurovision Song Contest takes place in Düsseldorf, Germany, on Saturday 14th May 2011 with France the favourite to win this year’s show with the song, Sognu, by Amaury Vassili.

At the age of 21, Vassili is the youngest professional tenor in the world and is looking to provide the French with its first win in the competition since 1977 with his unique and emotive performance of his song which is only the second ever in the history of Eurovision to be sung entirely in Corsican.

Bookmakers Eurovision Odds already suggest that it’s France’s competition to lose with Vassili the 13/8 favourite to win having been backed in from as big as 33/1 in recent weeks.

The United Kingdom is second favourite to win with their entry from multi award winning boyband, Blue, at odds of 6/1. The recently reformed group, which split up in 2005 are back together and will perform the catchy track ‘I Can’ in the hope of giving the UK its sixth win in the competition and first Eurovision success since Katrina and the Waves won with ‘Love Shine a Light’ in 1997.

Ireland holds the record for the number of Eurovision wins with seven and Jedward are this year’s representatives for the Emerald Isle. Twins, John and Edward will perform their song ‘Lipstick’ which is sure to be popular amongst voters across Europe with an already strong fan base having shot to fame on reality TV show, the X Factor and can be backed to win at odds as big as 20/1.

Other countries in the running according to the betting include Estonia who are represented by Getter Jaani and the song Rockefeller Street; Azerbaijan with the song ‘Running Scared’ by duet Ell & Nikki whilst last year’s winners and this year’s hosts, Germany, represented by Lena with a song titled ‘Taken By a Stranger’ is considered a 14/1 chance to win back-to-back Eurovision Song Contests.

The 2011 Eurovision Song Contested is being widely tipped to be the most watched show ever, with an estimated 150 million viewers expected to tune in across Europe whilst bookmakers are also expecting a record number of bets to be placed on which country will win the competition.

Eurovision is live across Europe on Saturday 14th May, starting at 20:00 BST and 21:00 CET. A full list of entries, including Eurovision Song Contest videos together with the odds can be found at www.eurovision-betting.com.

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