Outright Odds: 22/one
Team D Winners: five/6
After a disastrous 2002 Earth Cup, where they concluded base in their group adhering to defeats by both equally the United States and South Korea, Portugal will probably be aiming to ultimately Are living up for their likely on the Global stage.
Qualification was a breeze. They remained unbeaten within their team and concluded seven points clear at the top. Portugal meant small business On this group, putting eleven earlier Luxembourg across two legs and hammering second-favourites Russia 7-1 at your house.
The charismatic Luiz Felipe Scolari, or Massive Phil to his buddies, has crafted a different group to switch the ageing or retired underachievers including Rui Costa, Joao Pinto and Other individuals Despite the fact that Luis Figo, now entering veteran status and outside of retirement, will probably be existing in Germany. Even with guiding Portugal to the final of Euro 2004 and emphatic Globe Cup qualification, the public are still not confident He's The person with the career.
The teams Main relies all over 4 players who received 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 offer a strong base for your assault-minded stars to play around.
Attacking players for example Cristiano Ronaldo, Simao Sabrosa and naturalised Brazilian Deco compliment the facet flawlessly and make quite a few prospects for striker Pauleta. The Paris St. Germain hitman overtook Eusebios report of forty one Intercontinental ambitions with a formidable haul of eleven in qualifying, building him the European zones prime goalscorer.
Manchester United winger Ronaldo could illuminate the finals together with his competencies and coveted action-overs. He weighed in with seven qualifying objectives from midfield, increasing his Fantasy Soccer stock substantially.
Portugal have every one of the makings of a Planet Cup successful aspect: a solid defence, Fantastic excellent and goalscoring potential from midfield and Europes deadliest striker in qualifying.
Their main downfall seems being the goalkeeping position. Sporting Lisbons Ricardo and Quim from Benfica are both vying for your jersey Even though the supporters choice appears to be out-of-favour Vitor Baia. A veteran with the 2002 Environment Cup facet, 36-year-outdated Baia was omitted from Scolaris closing 23 during the Euro 2004 squad.
Encouraged Wager:
The underachieving squad 바카라사이트 through the previous have almost all been changed by a new crop of youthful expertise. Old stagers Luis Figo and Pauleta will search for a closing swansong, Using the latter a sound Each individual-way guess for leading goalscorer standing.
Portugal to earn Team D @ five/six
E/W Pauleta as top rated goalscorer @ 40/1