With days to go before the Eurovision final and before the semi finals had even started, bookies declared that the winner of this years event was already a foregone conclusion.
Eurovision 2022 is now very much upon us, with Italy hosting this year after Maneskin's victory in Rotterdam last year and the Eurovision semi finals getting going in Turin's Pala Olimpico arena on Tuesday night. And it is one of the countries taking part in Eurovision semi final 1 who is the big tip to win - Ukraine.
Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra are the odds on favourites to triumph at the weekend, with other acts in contention, according to bookies and experts, being the UK's Sam Ryder, home nation Italy, Spain's Chanele and Norway's Subwoolfer. With the wealth of support for Ukraine after the Russian invasion, the fact they finished in the top 5 last year, have won it twice before with Ruslana and Jamala and have a perfect track record of qualifying for the final, they are dead certs for victory in the eyes of many people.
READ MORE: How many countries are in Eurovision? Acts and songs for this year's contest
Although Sam Ryder has seen his odds shorten significantly in the run up to Saturday's Eurovision final, Ukraine remain the clear favourites in the betting this year, with Betfair and other sites, and are tipped to do particularly well in the televote, which can turn the competition on its head after the juries have given their scores.
Who will win Eurovision?
Ukraine: 4/6
United Kingdom: 15/2 (was 12/1)
Italy: 9/1
Sweden: 11/1
Spain: 29/1
Greece: 64/1
Netherlands: 74/1
Norway: 84/1
Serbia: 149/1
Portugal: 159/1
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* When is Eurovision 2022? Date and location for this year's contest
