Brazil v Portugal, Friday 25th June, 3pm
It was Spain who started the 2010 World Cup as favourites, although their slip-up against Switzerland along with Brazil’s strong start to the tournament means that most firms now have Dunga’s team as the jollies on the outright market. Bet365 and Sporting Bet have 4/1 available ahead of this final Group G match, although there’s the possibility of the two competition favourites meeting each other at the last sixteen stage.
The Samba Kings are the 11/8 favourites (bet365) to take all three points from the match at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, something which would continue their 100% record in the World Cup. The south Americans played very well to beat the Ivory Coast by a 3-1 scoreline on Sunday and appear to be looking ominous as we enter the business stage of the competition.
Brazil topped the south American qualifying section to reach South Africa and they have one of the world’s best strikers in Luis Fabiano, who was out of form before slotting home a brace against the Elephants. The Sevilla forward is the favourite (11/2 Boylesports) to open the scoring and he will have one eye on winning the prestigious Golden Shoe at this World Cup. Then again, Robinho has also been looking sharper for his national team than he ever did in a Manchester City shirt and he will have his backers at 8/1 (William Hill).
Portugal needed a play-off to reach the World Cup, although they are looking nailed-on to reach the last sixteen after that 7-0 demolition of North Korea. It means that they can play with plenty of freedom in this match and look to be a big price at 13/5 (Sporting Bet) considering that six different players were on the scoresheet in Cape Town.
The Portuguese jewel in the crown is Cristiano Ronaldo, who is at the centre of most of the team’s attacking play. The Real Madrid player will still be confident that this can be his World Cup and there’s nothing better than outshining the most famous footballing nation on the planet. You can back the former Manchester United man at 6/1 (Ladbrokes) to score the opening goal and 2/1 (Boylesports) to find the net at any stage.
We should note that Carlos Queiroz’s team have yet to concede a goal in this World Cup and the manager will want things to stay that way ahead of a last sixteen match against Spain, Chile or Switzerland. Indeed, a meeting against the Spanish would see the defence sorely tested, although the Portuguese are 5/2 (Paddy Power) to stop their opponents scoring and we can’t rule out the possibility of No Goalscorer, something that’s on offer at 7/1 (Sky Bet).
