Outright Odds: 22/1
Group D Winners: 5/6
Following a disastrous 2002 Environment Cup, through which they completed bottom in their team following defeats by both of those the United States and South Korea, Portugal will be looking to lastly Reside up for their probable on the international phase.
Qualification was a breeze. They remained unbeaten within their group and completed seven details clear at the very best. Portugal intended organization In this particular team, putting 11 earlier Luxembourg throughout two legs and hammering 2nd-favourites Russia seven-1 in the home.
The charismatic Luiz Felipe Scolari, or Large Phil to his mates, has constructed a new team to replace the ageing or retired underachievers like Rui Costa, Joao Pinto and Other people While Luis Figo, now entering veteran standing and out of retirement, is going to be current in Germany. Even with guiding Portugal to the ultimate of Euro 2004 and emphatic Environment Cup qualification, the public remain not certain He's The person for that occupation.
The teams Main relies all over four 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 provide a reliable foundation with the assault-minded stars to mess around.
Attacking players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Simao Sabrosa and naturalised Brazilian Deco compliment the side properly and build a lot of prospects for striker Pauleta. The Paris St. Germain hitman overtook Eusebios document of 41 Worldwide goals with a formidable haul of eleven in qualifying, earning him the European zones leading goalscorer.
Manchester United winger Ronaldo could illuminate the finals together with 카지노사이트 his competencies and coveted phase-overs. He weighed in with seven qualifying goals from midfield, increasing his Fantasy Football inventory substantially.
Portugal have many of the makings of a World Cup winning facet: a good defence, Extraordinary excellent and goalscoring potential from midfield and Europes deadliest striker in qualifying.
Their key downfall appears to become the goalkeeping placement. Sporting Lisbons Ricardo and Quim from Benfica are equally vying for the jersey Even though the supporters preference seems to be out-of-favour Vitor Baia. A veteran on the 2002 Entire world Cup side, 36-yr-outdated Baia was omitted from Scolaris closing 23 during the Euro 2004 squad.
Recommended Guess:
The underachieving squad from your earlier have Pretty much all been replaced by a brand new crop of youthful expertise. Aged stagers Luis Figo and Pauleta will try to find a closing swansong, with the latter a seem Every single-way wager for top goalscorer position.
Portugal to win Group D @ 5/six
E/W Pauleta as leading goalscorer @ 40/1