Sweden's 'Let's Just Sauna' song is hot favourite for Swiss Eurovision

Sweden is the red-hot favourite for this year's Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday in the Swiss city of Basel, with an offbeat song about saunas which could cool some recent controversies at the show.

Bookmakers give Sweden's entry, comedy trio KAJ, a 42% chance to win the world's biggest music event.

A win for KAJ would be Sweden's eighth overall, moving it clear of Ireland to become the most successful country in Eurovision history.

KAJ's song, Bara Bada Bastu, translates as "Let's Just Sauna" and celebrates the power of saunas.

Kevin Holmstrom, Jakob Norrgard and Axel Ahman, members of the band KAJ pose in the sauna of the BastutiBasel fan project in Basel, Switzerland. Reuters

"It is a cherished way of everyday life, just relaxing and connecting and like staying quiet," KAJ member Kevin Holmstrom told Reuters before the final.

Austria, represented by singer JJ who combines elements of opera and techno in his song Wasted Love, is second favourite.

"If you look at the bookies, it's a two-horse race," said Eurovision expert William Lee Adams, who called KAJ's song "fun, silly and camp" - key ingredients for Eurovision success.

"You've got people dancing in towels and you've got men in suits at the start, very uptight but by the end of their act, they're loose and ready to go. It's feel-good fun."

Aja Lund, a member of the BastutiBasel fan project to bring a sauna for the band KAJ. Photos: Reuters

More than 160 million people are expected to watch Eurovision, which could feature an appearance by Canadian megastar Celine Dion, who won in 1988 representing Switzerland.

Dion, who may be unable to attend due to health problems, said she would love nothing more than to be in Basel in a video message at Tuesday's semi final.

Switzerland won the right to host Eurovision after rapper and singer Nemo won last year's contest in Malmo, Sweden.

Reuters