It's always tough to call who you think may just do it in the Eurovision, and the Semi-Finals are arguably more difficult, as due to their size and nature, you've got a real mixed bag or artists, styles and a wide range of talent. Tonight's Semi-Final is no different for me.

For the past few days and in the recent hours, I've read a vast amount of websites, listened to their songs on repeat, checked the weather, the overall mood of people around Europe, and the general feedback already given to the artists, all ahead of tonight's big show. Only 10 may go through, and I've composed my list.

Now, my no means is it entirely accurate; there are regularly surprise wins, the artists who, out of nowhere, despite public opinion, grab themselves a ticket to the final. I feel there will be most certainly a number of these this year. I have listed some wild-cards also, as these are performers who just don't hit my Top 10 prediction, but have a stand-out chance.

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My Top 10 Semi-Final predictions

(In no particular order)

1. Sunstroke Project & Olia Tira (Moldova)

2. Malcolm Lincoln (Estonia)

3. Thea Garrett (Malta)

4. 3+2 (Belarus)

5. Giorgos Alkaios & Friends (Greece)

6. Peter Nalitch & Friends (Russia)

7. Milan Stanković (Serbia)

8. Juliana Pasha (Albania)

9. Hera Björk (Iceland)

10. Kristina Pelakova (Slovakia)

(Possible Wild-Cards)

* Tom Dice (Belgium)

* Gjoko Taneski (F.Y.R Macedonia)

* Filipa Azevedo (Portugal)

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~// Sunstroke Project & Olia Tira - Moldova

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This song has a great summer feel and that is what the public would like, I feel, at this time of economic woe in the world. Votes should go their way.

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~// Malcolm Lincoln - Estonia

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The public seem to love this song, yet I don't think it will do the job tonight and pass to the final. Why? Because it's quite slow moving, and very repetitive. I wait for the big crescendo in the track, but it never arrives.

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~// Thea Garrett - Malta

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This is a good, strong pop ballad, and it should garner a decent amount of votes. I would be highly surprised if this did not make the final.

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~// 3+2 - Belarus

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Again, this is another track that’s getting a lot of publicity and interest. It’s powerful, uplifting and very much back to basics. There are good vocals, and an excellent melody. It’s not the loud, fast moving Eurovision songs that we’re used to, as 3+2 bring the contest back to a brilliant ballad style.

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~// Giorgos Alkaios & Friends - Greece

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“Opa” is a song which really stands out, and is clearly from Greece with their token style and sounds, along with buzzing energy year in, year out. This, in my view, and looking at what other Europeans think, a superb pop song that’ll going to be big tonight, and on Saturday.

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~// Peter Nalitch & Friends - Russia

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Russia have come back with an operatic pop piece that should, due to the country’s size, and due to the fact that the song is actually quite good, come back with a place in the Final this weekend. It’s a slow moving ballad, with excellent vocals, and it’s one that’s sure to make an impact on European listeners.

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~// Milan Stanković - Serbia

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“This is the Balkans” is an unusual, but funky song with many different styles mixed in, bringing Serbia a distinctive sound in this year’s event. I see this being a hit with viewers tonight, and I see this making the final. Will win big there? I doubt it, but we’ll see from opinions tonight.

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~// Juliana Pasha - Albania

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Albania’s entry is highly similar, especially in the intro, to Britney Spears’ “If You Seek Amy”, and pop fans across the continent are going to love it, regardless if they hear the parallels or not. It’s a quick, upbeat song that will make you stomp your feet. Juliana can confidently say hello to Saturday night.

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~// Hera Björk - Iceland

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Hera is used to the Eurovision experience, as she was part of the backing vocals for her country in 2007 and 2008 with Euroband and Yohanna respectively. Her song, “Je ne sais quoi” (which means “something indescribable” in French) is no doubt going to be voted for with its electro-pop tones and squeaky clean commercial sound. And no, she’s in no way related to the “Oh so quiet” singer.

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~// Kristina Pelakova - Slovakia

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“Horehronie” will bring the votes back for Slovakia tonight, but I highly doubt it will do so for the nation on Saturday. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good song, but I don’t think it’ll have the edge to get the masses voting for the final.

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// THE WILD-CARDS //

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Tom Dice from Belgium was getting a lot of attention, and he still is, but his song may not have the style, the tempo or the power to push the votes for him onto the final on Saturday. However, he was discovered on the Flemish edition of the popular Reality TV show, “The X Factor”, so the 20 year old may have a strong backing from teenage Eurovision fans, mostly female, which could somehow cause an internet sensation around him and get their foreign friends to vote.

Another Wild-Card is Gjoko Taneski, the artist representing F.Y.R. Macedonia. Personally, I really like the song, with its rock feel and attitude, but it may not be the biggest treat across the nations. It’s up there to grab votes, but it may get too close to call.

And finally, Filipa Azevedo from Portugal is another pop ballad that could get enough votes depending on the public approval tonight. I personally feel that it may knock Malcolm, from Estonia, off the finalist sheet tonight if voters get their way. Let’s not forget how much of a stand-out track it is. Filipa herself is living in the UK, and is studying at the London School of Music, so she may grab a number of votes from fans (and friends) in the University and in the United Kingdom; hence I feel it may just slip through.

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Sadly, many of the other acts, in my opinion based on music quality, public opinion and general feedback only, won't get through to the final. However, regrettably, if other factors come into play that will influence votes, these acts should get through. I am not stating that these songs are not worthy to get through if voting influence takes place, I am merely saying that it such Diaspora voting or bloc-voting shouldn't, and hopefully won't, take place. After all, this is a music contest. That said, this is an issue I will talk about at another time, and this post will not be the venue for it.

If you want to watch the first semi-final, it'll be on BBC Three at 8pm (GMT) or online at www.eurovision.tv. Plus, if you've not heard many of the acts yet, you can check out their videos on my Eurovision player, which has made it's comeback: www.davidokeeffe.com/eurovision-player.