Outright Odds: 22/one
Team D Winners: 5/6
Following a disastrous 2002 Entire world Cup, by which they finished base in their team pursuing defeats by the two the United States and South Korea, Portugal is going to be trying to at last Dwell up for their likely over the Worldwide phase.
Qualification was a breeze. They remained unbeaten inside their group and concluded 7 points very clear at the highest. Portugal meant organization Within this team, Placing 11 previous Luxembourg throughout two legs and hammering next-favourites Russia seven-one at your house.
The charismatic Luiz Felipe Scolari, or Huge Phil to his good friends, has developed a completely new team to interchange the ageing or retired underachievers including Rui Costa, Joao Pinto and others Even though Luis Figo, now moving into veteran standing and away from retirement, is going to be current in Germany. Even with guiding Portugal to the final of Euro 2004 and emphatic Globe Cup qualification, the general public remain not convinced He's The person for your occupation.
The teams Main relies about 4 players who gained the Champions League with FC Porto in 2004. Defenders Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira and midfielder Maniche now all at Chelsea and Costinha, now at Dinamo 카지노사이트 Moscow give a good base for the attack-minded stars to play around.
Attacking players which include Cristiano Ronaldo, Simao Sabrosa and naturalised Brazilian Deco compliment the facet flawlessly and produce several odds for striker Pauleta. The Paris St. Germain hitman overtook Eusebios record of forty one Worldwide objectives with a formidable haul of 11 in qualifying, producing him the ecu zones major goalscorer.
Manchester United winger Ronaldo could illuminate the finals together with his techniques and coveted phase-overs. He weighed in with 7 qualifying objectives from midfield, increasing his Fantasy Soccer stock considerably.
Portugal have all of the makings of a Globe Cup successful facet: a reliable defence, Excellent top quality and goalscoring potential from midfield and Europes deadliest striker in qualifying.
Their most important downfall seems to be the goalkeeping placement. Sporting Lisbons Ricardo and Quim from Benfica are equally vying to the jersey Even though the supporters choice is apparently out-of-favour Vitor Baia. A veteran from the 2002 Globe Cup aspect, 36-12 months-outdated Baia was omitted from Scolaris closing 23 during the Euro 2004 squad.
Advised Bet:
The underachieving squad from your previous have almost all been changed by a completely new crop of younger talent. Old stagers Luis Figo and Pauleta will search for a last swansong, Together with the latter a seem Just about every-way guess for leading goalscorer status.
Portugal to acquire Team D @ five/six
E/W Pauleta as leading goalscorer @ 40/one