Ivory Coast v Portugal, Tuesday 15th June, 3pm
| Full Time Result | |||
| Best Odds | Bookmaker | Free Bets | |
| Portugal | 5/4 |  |
£200 |
| Draw | 23/10 |  |
£20 |
| Ivory Coast | 13/5 |  |
£20 |
This is one of the most exciting group fixtures of the World Cup, with the ninth and tenth favourites to win the competition clashing at Nelson Mandela Bay in Port Elizabeth. Although this is only the first match of Group G, both Carlos Queiroz and Sven-Goran Eriksson will be aware that defeat would mean their team will face an uphill struggle to reach the last sixteen stage.
It’s Portugal who are strong favourites (5/4 Sky Bet) to land the three points, despite making hard work of qualifying for the tournament. The Iberian side will also be without Nani, although his former Manchester United team-mate is fighting fit and Cristiano Ronaldo will be a popular bet at 9/2 (Paddy Power) to open the scoring in this game. Indeed, with the new match ball proving problematic for goalkeepers, perhaps we should consider backing the Real Madrid star at 6/4 (bet365) to be an anytime scorer.
The Cote d’Ivoire look as though they will go into battle without Didier Drogba, who is hugely important to the team. Although Paddy Power quote the Chelsea forward at 15/8 (Paddy Power) to score at any stage, it’s likely that the Ivorian will be resting his fractured arm and one wonders if this will affect team morale. Even so, the Elephants are generally regarded to be the best team in Africa (bar the non-participating Egypt) and Bet Fred offer 11/4 that Eriksson’s team triumph in adversity by winning this match.
The Swede has had barely any time to work with his new players and will perhaps be happy with a draw (12/5 Bet Fred) from this match and the next one against Brazil, which might be enough to qualify second from Group G if they can beat North Korea. Gervinho (9/1 Sporting Bet) will lead the line if Drogba is absent, while English supporters will be aware of the damage that Salomon Kalou (9/1 bet365) and Aruna Dindane (8/1 Ladbrokes) can cause.
Indeed, with both teams brimming with attacking intent, perhaps we should expect a few goals being scored at Port Elizabeth, with Over 2.5 Goals available at 5/4 with Blue Square. No team scored more goals in African qualifying than the Ivory Coast.
