Eurovision 2025 Final Preview: Top Contenders to Watch

Sat Sep 13 2025 23:45:28 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 is set to dazzle audiences with diverse talent and unique performances as 27 countries vie for glory.

In Basel, the competition heats up with five leading favorites capturing attention with their distinctive entries. Bookmakers currently hail Sweden's Kaj with their quirky sauna anthem "Bara Bada Bastu" at the top, followed by Austria's JJ, whose heartfelt "Wasted Love" explores unreciprocated love. France's Louane delivers an emotional tribute to her late mother in "Maman," while the Netherlands' Claude mixes Afropop with a message of resilience in "C'est La Vie." Finland's Erika Vikman promises a memorable performance with the provocative "Ich Komme". Despite the odds, the unpredictability of the contest leaves fans eagerly awaiting the outcome.

The grand stage of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 is set for Saturday night in Basel, bringing together an exciting lineup of 27 countries competing for the iconic glass microphone trophy. This year’s entries display a vibrant mix of styles and themes, aptly reflecting the spirit of Eurovision. Notably, Australia introduces the cheeky "Milkshake Man" while Ukraine's poignant "Bird Of Pray" conveys a message of hope amid ongoing conflict. As the competition unfolds, Sweden's KAJ is positioned as a front-runner with their quirky sauna-themed song "Bara Bada Bastu," a track that celebrates Finnish sauna culture.

Despite bookmakers banking on their peculiar yet fun entry, history suggests that novelty acts rarely clinch victory, prompting speculation on whether more traditional pop anthems will prevail instead.

We take a closer look at the top five contenders to consider for your predictions:

**SWEDEN: KAJ – "BARA BADA BASTU"**
*Odds to Win: 39%*
Language: Swedish
Genre: Epadunk
Spotify Streams: 43.9m
KAJ represents Sweden and stands out as the first Finnish act in this role. Their comedic homage to sauna culture has already gained traction, fostering a light-hearted atmosphere.

**AUSTRIA: JJ – "WASTED LOVE"**
*Odds to Win: 22%*
Language: English
Genre: Pop-opera
Spotify Streams: 6m
JJ, with his powerful vocals, delivers an emotional ballad reflecting unreciprocated love. His theatrical stage presence, set in a sailing boat, is bound to captivate listeners.

**FRANCE: LOUANE – "MAMAN"**
*Odds to Win: 8%*
Language: French
Genre: Torch Song
Spotify Streams: 6.9m
Louane's heartfelt piece reflects personal grief while threading a narrative of resilience and healing, making it a strong contender for an emotional connection with the audience.

**NETHERLANDS: CLAUDE – "C'EST LA VIE"**
*Odds to Win: 6%*
Language: French and English
Genre: Chanson
Spotify Streams: 17.2m
Claude, a rising star with an inspiring backstory, showcases a blend of Afropop and French chanson, delivering an uplifting message of hope and perseverance.

**FINLAND: ERIKA VIKMAN – "ICH KOMME"**
*Odds to Win: 4%*
Language: Finnish, German
Genre: Eurodance
Spotify Streams: 11.8m
Vikman's bold entry, playfully centered around sexuality, challenges norms and promises a visually arresting performance, capturing the audience’s attention.

As anticipation builds towards the final, many wonder how the United Kingdom's entry, Remember Monday, will fare after climbing the odds from 17th to 11th place. Regardless of the outcomes, the event promises to be a spectacle filled with music, emotions, and an array of creative expressions from across Europe.

Tune in to see how the night unfolds!