WHEN?: Saturday 10 March (7pm UK time) on SVT (link to watch below)

The quality of the songs in this year’s Melodifestivalen has attracted criticism but for us 2018 has been all about the Swedish public’s love of the novelty entry ahead of possible Eurovision winner Cry by Dotter.

• Read on for our predictions for how we think the 12 finalists would fare at Eurovision

1. Mendez Every Day OUR RANKING: 5 PREDICTION: 6th to 10th

It’s very Despacito and we can only attribute its Andra Chansen appearance to the rather lacklustre performance it was given by Mendez who came so close to winning Melodifestivalen back in 2002. Staged brilliantly however. Real end-of-the-night fiesta fireworks.

2. Renaida All The Feels OUR RANKING: 6 PREDICTION: 11th to 15th

This is a very American-sounding song which is perhaps better suited to Eurovision than Melodifestivalen. Renaida performs the life out of it and its appeal becomes much more obvious on repeat listens.

3. Martin Almgren A Bitter Lullaby OUR RANKING: 11 PREDICTION: 21st to 26th

Former Swedish Idol goes country. A big bear of a man we’re struggling to warm to but it’s a good song despite its rather charmless rendition.

4. John Lundvik It’s My Turn OUR RANKING: 12 PREDICTION: non-qualifier

Sounds like the sort of song given to talent show winners a decade ago. Is it just us or is the title sentiment a little ungracious? We were amazed this made the final.

5. Jessica Andersson Party Voice OUR RANKING: 3 PREDICTION: 16th to 20th

If Fab Freddie had a favourite. We were primed for this to be uptempo and it doesn’t quite bang as much as we wanted it to. In a Melodifestivalen where the ambition to write in certain styles has dwarfed the quality of the songs, this is too Hung Up by Madonna.

6. LIAMOO Last Breath OUR RANKING: 10 PREDICTION: 21st to 26th

Includes spoken rap which is a style notoriously difficult to land well at MF and failed to live up to the expectation of the bookmakers who had this as the pre-contest favourite. Didn’t do a Dotter though but we’d be surprised if it’s top half in Sweden.

7. Samir and Viktor Shuffla OUR RANKING: 2 PREDICTION: 6th to 10th

It’s business as usual for these 2 with a song that reminds of last year’s Moldovan entry that was heavy on the sax hook that did so well. Less annoying than their previous two entries, we can see this doing very well but being pipped to victory in Sweden.

8. Mariette For You OUR RANKING: 9 PREDICTION: 21st to 26th

After Liamoo and Dotter underwhelmed, the stage was set for Mariette to deliver but it’s all a little underwhelming. Finland’s Saara Aalto does the ‘monsters under the bed’ shtick better and the performance is curiously static. Far from third time lucky for Mariette.

9. Felix Sandman Every Single Day OUR RANKING: 7 PREDICTION: 6th to 10th

The best ballad left in the contest is definitely the dark horse to win the whole thing. Baffling decision to have him singing into a hairdryer. Its big problem is that the live vocal sounds a little whiny.

10. Margaret In My Cabana OUR RANKING: 1 PREDICTION: 11th to 15th

Our favourite entry in this year’s Melodifestivalen is old school Rihanna. Will Sweden vote for a Polish singer with a ska-ish song evoking sunshine vibes? We don’t see it doing a great deal in Eurovision not least because Margaret sounds terrified when she sings it live and it’s supposed to be a fun song.

11. Benjamin Ingrosso Dance You Off OUR RANKING: 4 PREDICTION: 1st to 5th

As Justin Timberlake readies himself for maximum exposure with a new album that signals his move into country music, it seems appropriate that the greatest show on earth finds his successor. The one to beat is also brilliantly staged. The last three Swedish entries have been male soloists.

12. Rolandz Fuldans OUR RANKING: 8 PREDICTION: non-qualifier

We didn’t much enjoy the dancing cutlery from Heat One but this dansband schlager is more in keeping with why we love Melodifestivalen and we reckon this year’s under-fire selection is crying out for a little good humour.

• Pictures via Facebook courtesy SVT Melodifestivalen. Watch the show. Clips via YouTube courtesy SVT. Melodifestivalen tickets 
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