Love Island: First Week Report Card
As we wrap up the first week in the villa for the 11th season of Love Island, it’s time to share BetMGM’s first report card on the new contestants looking for love…
Hotting up already
Jessica White (5/1) took an instant liking to Ronnie Vint (13/4) and we even saw them become the first couple who shared a moment on the terrace in Tuesday evening’s episode – no hanging about from these two!
So far, we’ve seen Mimii Ngulube (3/1) and Ayo Odukoya (6/1) cosy up since the first day, with Ayo trying to make his move, before a group game later on finally gave him his window of opportunity.
Make-up artist Samantha Kenny (13/4) certainly had her eyes on Ronnie until reality TV star Joey Essex (7/4) walked through the door. Tuesday’s episode revealed Joey stealing Samantha in the show’s first recoupling, resulting in islander Sam Taylor being the first dumping victim of summer 2024. We will be waiting patiently to see if this is a romance that will blossom.
Taking it steady
Harriett Blackmore (9/2) has been warming up to Ciaran Davies (15/4) despite first flinching at his age difference as they were coupled up – but viewers have noticed an interest in from Harriett in Joey, so keep an eye on how this plays out.
Nicole Samuel (4/1) has made her role as the fun, bubbly islander known and has also taken a liking to fellow Welshman Ciaran despite being coupled up with sweets salesman Sean Stone (9/2) – will we see the first Welsh duo take home the Love Island title?
With the show in its very early days, we’re yet to see more from cool, calm and collected Munveer Jabbal (10/1) and Patsy Field (11/2) but we’re sure to see them come out of their shells more as the show picks up.
Do first impressions matter?
We’ve seen a handful of islanders walk through the doors who the public held an instant reservation for and eventually formed a fond appreciation for, such as Irish bombshell Maura Higgins, Amber Gill and, dare we say it, Toby Aromolaran.
Whether it’s their approach to stand out from the crowd, nerves of being in this unique environment or because they genuinely soften up once they find someone they’re willing to let their guard down for, we’ve seen many islanders bulldoze their way through the villa before we see their nurturing, loving side creep out.
Could this be the case for the loud and proud Harriett Blackmore, close pal of Strictly Come Dancing’s Saffron Barker, whose attention-grabbing “guys guys guys!” has already caught the attention of UK viewers?
Predictions for this year’s winners
While it’s early days, it’s hard to ignore the instant connection from Samantha and Ronnie straight out of the gate. Both are priced highly at 13/4 in the market so we’re keen to see how this develops as Samantha stands firm on her eye for men who are “tall, dark and cockney” – is it love at first height?
Mimii leads the girls’ market at 3/1 to be Love Island’s summer 2024 winner, despite her current flame Ayo sitting second from last in the boys’ prices at 6/1.
Joey is unsurprisingly leading the boys’ market at 7/4 and could it be that his interest in Harriett will keep him as frontrunner, or is it too soon to tell?
Browse all of our Love Island markets here.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change