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Eurovision Betting: Glitzy, gaudy and great for gambling!

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Yes, it's that time again, the Eurovision Song Contest - that great continent-wide bun fight for, erm, songwriting glory ... or something. Chickendinner run through the favourites, outsiders and the no-hopers (that'll be the UK)

For all its tin-eared melodrama, few events draw Europeans to the television as hypnotically as Eurovision.

Of course, everyone in the United Kingdom [320.0 to win on Betfair] knows that points will be scarce and should prepare themselves for disappointment accordingly. Some countries have long memories - even though it was over 20 years ago that England's football fans wrecked Luxembourg, the principality is still punishing us in the voting. Sending out utter no-hopers doesn't help either - this year we've selected a former bin man to do his worst. Good luck Andy Abraham. Watch United Kingdom here (if you must).

Favourites Russia [5.2 to win on Betfair] are yet to win the thing, but came third last year, and this year's representative, Dima Bilan, was runner up in 2006. He will be hoping his thoughtful power ballad, Believing, (sample lyric: "I've got something to believe in as long as I'm breathing/ No one's ever going to put my fire out, I'm going to keep on climbing") carries him over the line. Anyone in Europe not punching the air at the end of this one should be seriously investigated. In Russia's favour, all of the last seven countries to win were first time winners and experienced performers have done well recently. Against - and this should be of concern - no male soloist has won in the last ten years. Watch Russia here.

Not far behind is Serbia [6.2] who won last year, thanks to creepy Rose West-alike Marija Serifovic, and her backing singers, who may or may not have been very beautiful lesbians (clever move, Serbs). This year they have gone for a mystical Celine-ish epic sung by Jelena Tomasevic, another smart move as seven of the last ten winners have been female soloists. No country has won in consecutive years since Ireland in 1994, and on only five occasions in the history of the extravaganza has the host nation won (Switzerland, 1956; Luxembourg, 1973; Israel, 1979; Ireland 1993, 1994). Watch Serbia here.

Third favourites Armenia [7.2] are also worth a look, with a frenetic Bollywood/Reggae/18-30s mash-up. Sung by Sirusho, a girl who wouldn't look out of place playing a foreign exchange student on Hollyoaks, it's all a bit Shakira-lite. Armenia have only taken part twice before - coming eighth both times - but have the advantage of being another possible first time winner. Of the three favourites, this is the most cheerful song, and most recent winners have also had some manner of well-choreographed routine. Watch Armenia here.

Of the other entries, Ukraine [11.5] appear to be building up a big head of steam with their disco anthem, Shady Lady by Ani Lorak This is only their sixth time singing in Europe, but they've already proved themselves pretty sturdy - winning in 2004, coming second last year. And Sweden [15.5] should never be ignored, having won four times (1974, 1984, 1991, 1999). This year their 1999 winner, Charlotte Nilsson, is giving it another bash. Only Ireland's Johnny Logan has ever won Eurovision twice.
Watch Ukraine here.
Watch Sweden here.

This year sixth-favourite Ireland [21.0] have entrusted their international reputation to a wretched puppet called Dustin the Turkey. They may have managed three in a row in the 1990s, and won more often than anyone (seven times) but Eurovision has only ever been won by humans and by countries taking the event seriously.
Watch the puppet here.

France, on the other hand [140.0] have cobbled together a decent entry, a mostly-English song called Divine, sung by Sebastian Tellier (a man who looks like Charles Manson going for a job in a bank), and produced by Daft Punk. A tempting top four bet.
Watch France here.