The Late Money?

So, which entries are emerging as this year’s Dark Horses?

Belgium – Tom Dice – Me and My Guitar

Tom Dice is Belgium’s answer to James Blunt…now before you run screaming for the hills it’s in a good way not in a creepy scary way. The song is a simple acoustic number and the sentiment avoids falling into Bluntism blandness. This will qualify as it’s in the weaker of the semi-finals and don’t be surprised if it polls well inside the Top Ten. With this years crop of male SuBo’s Tom Dice may be a nice little Jason Mraz/ James Blunt inspired remedy to all the Disney moments. Belgium will finally break it’s run of being dumped from the final and will return to form. He's no stranger to competition as he finished 2nd in 2008's Flemish X Factor. Roll the dice. Darkhorse Top 5 finish.

Sweden – Anna Bergendahl – This is My Life.

I’m not 100% convinced by this little Swedish poppet with her guitar but she’s shortening in the odds. There’ll be a special little trick on the night that will have the audience going…”how did she do that?”…and she’ll be rewarded with a place in the final on the trick alone. She is in the tougher Semi Final (#2) but she’s very sweet and the song jaunts along even if it does not really go anywhere. Like last years Popera offering this is a risky choice veering away from catchy power pop and will see her finish in the bottom half in the final.

It’s going to be a close run thing, as a clear-cut favorite has not emerged. Betting would indicate that the winner will be from Azerbaijan, Germany, Israel and Denmark but one powerhouse performance on the night could see a roughie get up.