Who will win the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest? The answer should become clear on May 13 when the grand finale takes place in Liverpool. The city hosts a festival that was originally planned for Ukraine after Stefania’s victory last May. As every year, fans and bettors have already placed bets and shared predictions about the eventual winner.
The White Dove and its supporters clearly want to lift the crystal microphone awarded to the winner of each edition. It is regarded as one of the favorites by European fans and by betting sites, with many specialists listing it among top contenders. Valencia’s entry shifted the perception last year when Chanel finished third, surprising many. Her vibrant choreography and memorable stage moments became one of the festival’s defining images.
Favorites of 2023
In this edition, bookmakers have positioned Loreen as a strong favorite. Loreen returns to the contest after an 11 year gap with a pop anthem that has already gone viral on social media. A victory for Loreen would mark Sweden’s third win in the last decade and would make her the first woman to win Eurovision twice. Sweden has publicly indicated Blanca Paloma as a preferred contestant among the 37 participating songs. The field remains competitive, with Finland, Ukraine, Norway, and Spain close behind in betting markets.
The participant from Valencia has gained ground at the bookmakers since triumphing at Benidorm Fest. The artist has intensified live performances across the European tour, with recent shows in Barcelona and Israel fueling anticipation for a strong live presentation that could energize the crowd and lift the song to new heights.
Statistical analyses from betting firms over the past seven years show a clear pattern: two countries have tended to dominate the winner’s circle this year. The question remains whether that pattern will hold. Sweden and Spain are widely cited as the leading contenders, but the race is far from decided and the outcome could hinge on staging and live interpretation on the night.
The Case for Blanca Paloma
Bookmakers often reflect a practical gauge of likelihood, though they are not infallible. Over the last seven editions, the favorite country has claimed victory in four of those years, which is roughly half of the time. In other seasons, the winner came from a country that had been in the top five but wasn’t the outright favorite. Notable exceptions include Jamala with a folk-inspired entry in 2016, Salvador Sobral in 2017, and Zitti E Buoni in 2021. Today the fifth place in many betting markets is occupied by Blanca Paloma from Spain, signaling that she remains a strong wild card and a serious threat to the throne.
From the Spanish delegation, a confident and hopeful outlook surrounds a potential second consecutive top result for Spain. A streamlined staging approach is being prepared to maximize impact, with measures taken to ensure the performance lands with maximum effect on the audience. The focus is on delivering a compelling, emotionally resonant moment that could translate into a memorable vote and a high final standing.
As the week of rehearsals unfolds, the industry watchword is momentum. The combination of a powerful vocal delivery, a well-crafted visual concept, and an engaging live presence could push Blanca Paloma into the upper echelons of the ranking. The contest is unpredictable, and the balance of power between staging, song, and performance often defies early expectations. The final outcome will be decided by juries and audiences across Europe and beyond, each bringing their own tastes and loyalties to the scoreboard. Yet the sense persists that Blanca Paloma will be a central figure in the race for the trophy, a symbol of Spain’s ongoing success on the Eurovision stage. (Source: Eurovision reporting and industry coverage)