Outright Odds: 22/1
Team D Winners: 5/six
After a disastrous 2002 Planet Cup, by which they finished bottom in their group subsequent defeats by both equally The us and South Korea, Portugal might be aiming to at last Reside up for their probable around the international stage.
Qualification was a breeze. They remained unbeaten within their group and concluded seven factors crystal clear at the very best. Portugal meant enterprise In this particular group, Placing 11 earlier Luxembourg throughout two legs and hammering second-favourites Russia seven-1 at your home.
The charismatic Luiz Felipe Scolari, or Massive Phil to his mates, has constructed a whole new workforce to replace the ageing or retired underachievers which include Rui Costa, Joao Pinto and Many others While Luis Figo, now moving into veteran status and away from retirement, are going to be present in Germany. Irrespective of guiding Portugal to the ultimate of Euro 2004 and emphatic Globe Cup qualification, the public are still not confident he is the man with the position.
The groups core relies all around 4 players who won 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 Moscow provide a sound base to the attack-minded stars to play around.
Attacking gamers for instance Cristiano Ronaldo, Simao Sabrosa and naturalised Brazilian Deco compliment the side flawlessly and make quite a few chances for striker Pauleta. The Paris St. Germain hitman overtook Eusebios file of forty one Worldwide ambitions with a powerful haul of eleven in qualifying, producing him the ecu zones prime goalscorer.
Manchester United winger Ronaldo could illuminate the finals along with his competencies and coveted phase-overs. He weighed in with seven qualifying targets from midfield, boosting his Fantasy Football stock significantly.
Portugal have all the makings of a Environment Cup profitable side: a good defence, Extraordinary top quality and goalscoring probable from midfield and Europes deadliest striker in qualifying.
Their principal downfall seems to become the goalkeeping position. Sporting Lisbons Ricardo and Quim from Benfica are 카지노사이트 the two vying to the jersey Even though the supporters selection is apparently out-of-favour Vitor Baia. A veteran of the 2002 Environment Cup side, 36-calendar year-aged Baia was omitted from Scolaris last 23 while in the Euro 2004 squad.
Encouraged Bet:
The underachieving squad from the past have Just about all been replaced by a completely new crop of younger talent. Outdated stagers Luis Figo and Pauleta will look for a last swansong, With all the latter a seem Every single-way bet for top goalscorer status.
Portugal to win Group D @ 5/six
E/W Pauleta as best goalscorer @ forty/1