Sven-Goran Eriksson admitted that
Brazil were a class apart from the Ivory Coast on Sunday, although
perhaps we should avoid backing Dunga’s team to win this final
Group G game. They need only a draw to finish top of the section and
second place might be preferable depending on what happens in Group H
later that day.
Kaka will be missing through suspension
and Elano might also be rested after being stretchered off against
the Elephants. Portugal will come into this match full of confidence
after a 7-0 rout of North Korea and their defence is looking very
steady, with Tiago protecting the solid unit that is Ricardo Carvalho
and Bruno Alves.
With Cristiano Ronaldo in excellent
form and supplemented by Simao and Brazilian-born Liedson, this looks
like a match where the Portuguese can avoid defeat and confirm their
place in the knockout stages. They will look to take advantage of a
Brazilian team who weren’t tested in the build-up to the World Cup
and have conceded goals against both Ivory Coast and North Korea.
PREDICTION: PORTUGAL ON DRAW NO BET
MARKET @ 2.50 with bet365
Power Rating
Squad (3.5/5)
Portugal have on paper some of the finest talent in European football and in Cristiano Ronaldo perhaps the best player the country has ever produced.
Squad (4.5/5)
They are the best and they know it. Brazil even have a choice of decent goalkeepers, although central defence may not be as secure as they might like.
Coach (3/5)
When he took Portugal to their second youth World Cup in 1991, Queiroz looked like one of the great coaches in the making. His career, however, has not quite fulfilled its early promise.
Coach (4/5)
Dunga is a nickname and means Dopey after one of the Seven Dwarves. The Brazil manager is anything but and will need all his toughness and shrewdness to control colossal expectations.
Attack (3.5/5)
With Cristiano Ronaldo to support the out-and-out forwards, Portugal are always capable of scoring. However, they lack formidable specialist strikers.
Attack (5/5)
Only Spain and Argentina can match the Brazilian forward line with its array of skill and sheer physical power.
Defence (3/5)
Were Bosingwa and Pepe fully match fit, Portugal would score 3.5 out of 5 but these are big losses for any team to deal with.
Defence (3.5/5)
It can be very good as they proved when easily overcoming England in a pre-tournament friendly but should Dunga stay with Dida or go with Julio Cesar in goal?