Outright Odds: 22/1
Group D Winners: five/six
After a disastrous 2002 Environment Cup, where they concluded base in their group following defeats by both America and South Korea, Portugal will probably be planning to ultimately Dwell up for their opportunity to the international phase.
Qualification was a breeze. They remained unbeaten of their team and completed seven details distinct at the very best. Portugal intended business enterprise In this particular team, Placing 카지노사이트 eleven past Luxembourg throughout two legs and hammering next-favourites Russia 7-one at your home.
The charismatic Luiz Felipe Scolari, or Big Phil to his good friends, has built a brand new crew to replace the ageing or retired underachievers like Rui Costa, Joao Pinto and Other folks although Luis Figo, now coming into veteran status and from retirement, might be current in Germany. Even with guiding Portugal to the ultimate of Euro 2004 and emphatic Environment Cup qualification, the general public remain not certain he is the man for the work.
The groups core is based about four gamers 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 good base for the assault-minded stars to mess around.
Attacking gamers such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Simao Sabrosa and naturalised Brazilian Deco compliment the side flawlessly and make several chances for striker Pauleta. The Paris St. Germain hitman overtook Eusebios history of 41 international targets with an impressive haul of eleven in qualifying, earning him the European zones major goalscorer.
Manchester United winger Ronaldo could illuminate the finals with his techniques and coveted action-overs. He weighed in with 7 qualifying ambitions from midfield, increasing his Fantasy Football stock considerably.
Portugal have all the makings of a Earth Cup successful aspect: a sound defence, Excellent high-quality and goalscoring opportunity from midfield and Europes deadliest striker in qualifying.
Their principal downfall seems for being the goalkeeping place. Sporting Lisbons Ricardo and Quim from Benfica are equally vying with the jersey Even though the supporters decision appears to be out-of-favour Vitor Baia. A veteran of the 2002 Entire world Cup facet, 36-calendar year-outdated Baia was omitted from Scolaris closing 23 from the Euro 2004 squad.
Proposed Wager:
The underachieving squad in the past have Nearly all been replaced by a brand-new crop of youthful expertise. Outdated stagers Luis Figo and Pauleta will try to look for a last swansong, With all the latter a seem Just about every-way bet for best goalscorer position.
Portugal to earn Team D @ five/six
E/W Pauleta as top goalscorer @ forty/one