Tonight it’s time for the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2016! Once again, just like for semi-final 1, us escgo! editors try to predict the 10 qualifiers of the show.

You can see the choices of Martin, Felix and Shi in the table below – followed by a brief explanation of their choices!

Country	Martin	Felix	Shi	TEAM
1. Latvia	Q	Q	Q	100 %
2. Poland	Q	Q	Q	100 %
3. Switzerland				0 %
4. Israel	Q	Q	Q	100%
5. Belarus		Q		33.3 %
6. Serbia	Q		Q	66.6 %
7. Ireland				0 %
8. Macedonia				0 %
9. Lithuania	Q	Q	Q	100 %
10. Australia	Q	Q	Q	100 %
11. Slovenia				0 %
12. Bulgaria	Q	Q	Q	100 %
13. Denmark	Q			33.3 %
14. Ukraine	Q	Q	Q	100 %
15. Norway		Q	Q	66.6 %
16. Georgia				0 %
17. Albania				0 %
18. Belgium	Q	Q	Q	100 %

MartinF: Broadly speaking, I agree with the bookmakers’ view on the most likely qualifiers from tonight’s show, which makes it difficult to take up a contrasting view.

Ukraine is the obvious semi winner, and while I think the likes of Australia and Bulgaria are huuuuuuuuugely overrated by the fans, I expect both of them to qualify with relative ease (though if there’s a shock non-qualifier in tonight’s bunch then her name is Poli Genova).

I’d love Poland or Lithuania to fail, but the new voting system is practically geared towards helping their diaspora-friendly entries.

If the first semi-final is anything to go by, a late(ish) position in the running order is no guarantee of success for a dark and difficult Nordic song, so I’m going to stick with my initial instinct that Norway will be too confused/confusing for televoters to appreciate – and I suggest that the weakly-performed blandness from Denmark will make it through instead, to absolutely nobody’s satisfaction.

I’d love Georgia to make it personally, but the song is incredibly difficult, so I can’t see it. And if Switzerland finishes anywhere other than last tonight, they should give Rykka the freedom of the town of Kreuzlingen.

We’re the last | © Andres Putting

FelixK: In my book, the safest qualifiers are Israel, Australia, Ukraine and Belgium. Israel is the big ballad of the night, focused on a singer and his song, something that isn’t very common this year. Australia and Ukraine should be no-brainers: Both are strong entries, and very well performed, too. Either can win this semi-final. And then there’s Belgium, spreading good vibes in warm colours and a major key, after four rather dark and uneasy entries. Could be top 3 tonight.

Latvia should be in too, but I’m not too sure anymore. I hope the recap will pick a good part of his song, because in the dress rehearsal, this wasn’t the case.

Talking borderline, I can see Belarus, Lithuania and Norway around the 10th place. Denmark should be there too, but in the end, we need at least one WTF result, and so I think it’s gonna be Belarus instead of Denmark.

Who I think is out: I never got Serbia, and I don’t think many non-fans will. But hey, I also never got “Molitva” and still don’t. Macedonia will unfortunately not make it either, while Switzerland, Ireland, Slovenia and Albania should be fighting for last place.

You want to teach us to do *what* now? | © Andres Putting

Shi: I thought the first semi was the difficult one, until I got to this one and realized that except for Ukraine and Australia, I can see almost everything else miss out. Before the rehearsals I had Latvia, Poland, Norway and Bulgaria on my pretty sure list. I still feel that way about Latvia, and decided to stick to the other three despite issues I have with their staging.

I never got Serbia, but many people did, and even I thought the rehearsals were good, so it’s in. Israel and Belgium improved my opinions of them during rehearsals, so they are in too. Israel is more tricky because of where it is in the running order. I always thought that only one or two out of the Ireland/Denmark/Lithuania triangle will make it, and as much as I don’t like it, I think Lithuania has the edge right now.

I’m a bit tempted to have either Georgia or Belarus through, but it’s a tough ask. Belarus might get the support of the televote, but I don’t think the juries will play along.

Will we be right or completely wrong? There’s only a few hours left until we find out – so whatever you’re doing and whomever you’re watching the show with, have a great time tonight and join us in the chat!