Who do you THINK will win ESC 2018?

[Chorizo]

No I don't care about that if you know what I mean. It was just a slick, cool performance and I really liked it after some time.... (In fact you can also pretty much criticize it with the same adjectives haha) My first reaction to ICGO after really loving Constellation Prize wasn't that good to be honest but it was a real grower for me and kept finding it's way on my playlist! And Robins interviews were also fine, he just has some Skandinavian distance in his personality I guess?

You see, I quite liked that one back in 2017 and it is totally generic, mainstream. So 2018 will also have many fans and maybe it will be top 5 again but it has no chances for winning in my opinion...

Apparently many people agreed with you, since Sweden was fifth last year, but to me it looked too plastic with all those memorized moves like the wink, the nod, and the OK sign. In combination with the interviews, he reminded me of a mannequin: Good looking but soulless. It might not be your topic, but as far as I am concerned, I can't even imagine him being good in bed. I think he's probably just repeating a few memorized moves over and over again there too and that's all there is to it. While that might be the gist of it, if that's all there is, I would get the impression that something is missing.

I like this year's staging better, btw.

 

[aef]

Apparently many people agreed with you, since Sweden was fifth last year, but to me it looked too plastic with all those memorized moves like the wink, the nod, and the OK sign. In combination with the interviews, he reminded me of a mannequin: Good looking but soulless. It might not be your topic, but as far as I am concerned, I can't even imagine him being good in bed. I think he's probably just repeating a few memorized moves over and over again there too and that's all there is to it. While that might be the gist of it, if that's all there is, I would get the impression that something is missing.

I like this year's staging better, btw.

My point is that you can criticize the 2017 and the 2018 entry quite for the same reasons... As I said I really understand that some people (like you) might call the 2017 one slick, plastic, artificial or whatever and I can understand that! I just liked the song and the performance in a way I can't really describe it! In fact I was even surprised how my mind about it changed after some time...

And all your arguments against ICGO count for me concerning DYO. It's the same kind of staging but my problem is (I know I wrote it before) that I hate the song and don't like the singer either... Let's agree that you're more a fan of DYO and I'm the Robin Bengtsson fanboy (without the physical part in mind hehe) and there we have our simple solution!

 

[SiXo]

I think it will be a battle of France, Italy, Estonia and (maybe) Bulgaria. Israel doesn't stand a chance.

I don't see anyone but - it has been giving me the same vibes since it was chosen, just like last year, even the year before. Also I think it would make sense from an astrological point of view because Scorpio is surviving a crisis and Aries is about a new birth. I could see doing very well, but more like 3rd place.

 

[JSSArcos]

I think it's going to be between and : !

 

[Jacketh]

Everyone is saying that Rybak is going to smash the televote, but I'm not too sure. A high placing similar to Hey Mamma? Sure. But lets look at the previous televote winners...

2017 - Portugal.
2016 - Russia (Pretty close with 1944).
2015 - Italy
2014 - Austria

I'm just not seeing the potential for Rybak to storm home on the popular vote. Third is the max in opinion. The televoters record in recent years for songs towards the top end of the scoreboard, with the exception of some songs like Hey Mamma, has been just as "serious" as the Juries. People really underestimate the 35+ vote in ESC. I really can't see many people in that age bracket going for Rybak. There is also the potential Rybak's "fun" song loses some votes in the younger demographic to other "fun" songs, mainly Czech Republic if he can return to full health.

Right now if I had to predict the top three, assuming that France keep it relatively simple and don't destroy the staging, I'd go for:

1. Bulgaria.
2. France
3. Estonia

I think at the moment Bulgaria will nail the top three with the Juries and ensure a top three with the televote.

 

[4815162342]

I am also not sure why so many people believe he will smash the televote. On esctips it is probably the most hyped entry of the year at the moment. Today someone claimed Rybak would beat Kostov's Beautiful Mess in the televote. No idea on what factors those claims are made.

 

[lolita]

I am also not sure why so many people believe he will smash the televote. On esctips it is probably the most hyped entry of the year at the moment. Today someone claimed Rybak would beat Kostov's Beautiful Mess in the televote. No idea on what factors those claims are made.

Well, his idea is to beat Salvador and everyone else, to hold the new record. When new system was made last year, he was whining like a baby how it is unfair now, now that everyone can beat the record he held for years easily. He is hypocryte, I am dissapointed in him very much, he is just acting all cute, but deep inside he really is far from that.

 

[midnightsun]

Televoters tend to vote for the „special“ songs while juries surprisingly went for the rather generic, radio-friendly songs the last years. I always thought it‘d be the other way round but I think especially since the Jury members are published most go for „safe songs“. My feeling is they even look at the odds before and try not to be that much away from that ranking as it would letting them appear biased. That‘s why I suggest to get rid off those juries. But they may surprise me this year, who knows.

So I expect a difference in the jury and telephone voting, like in 2015 and 2016.

My guess: people vote for Estonia and Bulgaria most, juries for Israel and Norway.

So it‘s also possible someone is winning who is right after them in the ranking but loved by both juries and audience. This could be someone like France, for example.

 

[MyHeartIsYours]

Oh I really don't know I'm starting to think Hungary now (but then I look at the odds... )!!! I think Estonia has had the best rehearsal but I think that looks like an obvious runner-up rather than winner. France is definitely a contender.

I think the Israel ship has sailed and I just can't see Norway winning...

Czech Republic and Bulgaria are the fourth and fifth favourites but are they good enough to win? Mikolas possibly, it stands out and he's charismatic, but Bulgaria... if they didn't win last year I can't see them winning with this.

 

[Nefertiti]

After the semi final rehearsals, I will say France is a strong contender to be the winner this year (well, we need to watch their rehearsal, but I think it's going to be simple and effective, the song doesn't need that much). They're slowly climbing the tops and I think they will be the surprise of the year. Israel and Bulgaria will go down due to poor staging (well, not poor, but not enouh for the hyped songs) and Czech Republic hasn't go that much support. Estonia is a loved one, but not by everyone (I actually hate it) and the juries wil also kill this.

 

[GlamSIMorous]

I think the following acts could be potential winners:
I expect Norway to win by a margin once again, not deserved, but his fame and his oh-so-catchy song will impress the people in Europe!
Sweden brings on a show, and a modern song teenage girls will fall for. Definite Top 5!
This can go either really well (especially in the televote) or super bad (I think the juries will kill this). If uniqueness wins this year, it should be them.
Ukraine is like Sweden, they always have a great show and Melovin is a strong vocalist. I could see him pull a surprising Jamala-win!
They might slipped in the betting odds, but I still think their song could go really well in Europe!
Outsider chances! If commentators explain what their song is about and if their staging is good .. kudos to you France!

Also have chances, not sure if its only personal taste though:

 

[Chorizo]

Before the rehearsals:
(and wishful thinking: Austria, which should at least get a decent result)

Belgium seems to be out, the others still have a chance, and France might surprise, although I still don't see it win.
Netta is this year's Francesco. Estonia will not get enough support from the juries. Cyprus should be popular but I don't think it will be enough to win. Norway will not get enough jury support. Australia won't get enough support from the televote.

After the semi rehearsals:
but that might be premature since we haven't seen all rehearsals yet and the votes could look like in 2011 leading to a surprise compromise winner.

 

[leelook]

I didn't get the initial hype over at all, but my latest gut feeling is that we're going to Tallinn next year. It's going to be one of the most memorable entries for sure and it'd continue the trend of alternative and non-commercial winners we've had lately. The only other songs that feel like contenders to me are , , and , in about that order of likelihood. Been convinced about Israel pulling through until now (which would be my preferred winner out of the favorites), it's possible my confidence might be waning just to prepare myself for disappointment.

 

[Chorizo]

Now I'm wondering if could actually do it. I think it would be a fine winner.

 

[A-lister]

Now I'm wondering if could actually do it. I think it would be a fine winner.

It would be a great winner, finally Eurovision could produce a hit again (last time being 2012), but I'm afraid the juries are too conservative, it's too modern and too showy for their taste Zzzz

Out of the entries I think juries could get behind, I think France is the best option and I'm leaning towards a win for France lately...

Israel could be super fun (although not my personal favorite), but again I think the juries are too close minded to get behind it and add some antisemitism from the public and they simply won't win I'm afraid

 

[Realest]

I predict Cyprus to get more Points by the Juries like 2012. Maybe 6th with the Juries and 11th with the TV.

 

[Jim]

Cyprus!!!

 

[revallsay]

I think " will win.

 

[Ezio]

or

I really hope it's

 

[Ezio]

It would be a great winner, finally Eurovision could produce a hit again (last time being 2012), but I'm afraid the juries are too conservative, it's too modern and too showy for their taste Zzzz

You always talking like juries consist of old people. That's not true. They include a lot of young professional musicians such as many recent EUrovision acts.

I think the difference between a juror, who happens to be a musician, and the opiniated fan or viewer at home is, that a juror is way more sensitive himself and sensible towards the other artists. They value a song differently. That does not mean Cyprus is lost with juries, why?

For instance, I could see Nathan Trent voting for Cyprus rather than for Greece.