TV
Eurovision Semi Final Night 2: Denmark Set the Pace
Semi Final 2 of Eurovision 2026 arrives in Vienna, and while the first semi brought plenty of uncertainty, Thursday’s show looks to have a much clearer shape at the top of the market with William Hill News.
With 16 countries competing for the remaining 10 Grand Final places, it’s set to be a fascinating competition with the final next.
Prediction
Based on where the markets currently stand, Denmark and Australia look set to battle for the Semi Final 2 victory, with Ukraine and Romania leading the group attempting to close the gap behind them.
Cyprus and Malta also appear well positioned to secure qualification, and both could outperform expectations if the televote connects strongly on the night.
For now, though, Denmark remain the benchmark. With the market firmly behind them and momentum building throughout rehearsal week, tonight could be the performance that confirms them as genuine Eurovision 2026 contenders.
Qualification favourites Denmark
With Semi Final 1 behind us, all eyes are on Denmark heading into Semi Final 2. Søren Torpegaard Lund with “Før vi går hjem” have steadily shortened throughout Eurovision week and now head the market at 6/4 to win tonight’s semi-final, while sitting at 6/1 to win Eurovision 2026 outright.
Qualification itself is barely considered a hurdle. Denmark are priced at just 1/100 to make Saturday’s Grand Final, underlining how secure their position appears after strong rehearsals and a polished staging package that has consistently impressed fans.
There is a growing feeling around Vienna that Denmark may have timed their peak perfectly. The performance has enough emotional pull for juries while still carrying the kind of televote-friendly chorus that can dominate in a semi-final setting. Drawing attention throughout the rehearsal week, they now arrive as the act everyone else is chasing tonight.
Australia close behind
Australia remains Denmark’s closest challenger in the betting and are currently 2/1 to win Semi Final 2. Like Denmark, qualification is viewed as a certainty, with the Australians priced at 1/80 to progress comfortably into the Grand Final.
Their outright odds of 12/1 suggest the market still sees a path to victory on Saturday if tonight’s performance lands with viewers across Europe.
Australia’s entry has built momentum steadily rather than explosively, but rehearsal clips appear to have strengthened confidence considerably. The delegation’s reputation for slick live production continues to work in their favour, and there is little doubt they will be among the biggest talking points once the show concludes.
The chasing pack
Behind the top two, the market begins to open slightly, though several countries are still viewed as strong qualification prospects.
Ukraine sit at 11/2 to win the semi-final and continue to attract support thanks to their consistently reliable Eurovision pedigree. Romania are not far behind at 6/1, with bookmakers clearly expecting them to contend near the top end of the scoreboard tonight.
Cyprus and Malta are both available at 16/1 to win Semi Final 2, but importantly, both remain odds-on to qualify for Saturday’s Grand Final. That places them firmly inside the bookmaker-favoured group expected to progress from tonight’s contest.
While Denmark and Australia dominate the conversation at the top, the middle of the semi final feels competitive enough that a standout live performance could still reshape the running order narrative entirely.
*Prices accurate at time of writing – odds subject to change.
