2014 World Cup Draw

[ME SO HORNBY!]

What are Portugals chances in the opinion of the experts here? I don't know that much about Soccer, but I always have a bet on the World Cup. I put $250 on them at $34. Yes, I know they're unlikely to actually win, but what say the eagle eyes here? Any chance of seeing my money back at all?

I follow the Portuguese team and have for some time.

They lack quality up front with an out and out striker. Their defence is usually solid. They have enough quality in midfield to compete with similar strength teams, and are brilliant on the counter for times when they are playing stronger teams who are likely to have the majority of possession against them. But in the forward third is where we have struggled and continued to struggle.

Don't get me wrong, Ronaldo can score a lot of goals, but he needs to be drifting around the edges and midfield and playing his natural game for us to be at our best. Also, good team tend to just gang up on him and then we don't have anybody else up front with his finishing ability to score from half chances.

If only we had a world class striker in the Aguero or Suarez mould who is just their to finish off our chances then perhaps we would be more of a threat in Brazil.

 

[Amadaca]

Thanks for that. Portuguese is actually my heritage too (my father speaks it, but I don't) so I thought they were as good a choice as any with odds like that.

 

[ME SO HORNBY!]

Thanks for that. Portuguese is actually my heritage too (my father speaks it, but I don't) so I thought they were as good a choice as any with odds like that.

It's the World Cup. You never know especially when Ronaldo is in the team.

I would say they are a team who can win it if everything falls into place but there are probably a good 7-8 teams ahead of them in terms of quality and that is reflected in the betting odds.

 

[Red&BlackBear]

one man band

The one man band that were one of the only sides to continually push Spain during their reign to their limit and that one man didnt even play well...

you know nothing.

 

[Big Sam]

They're touch and go to make it out of their group, let alone win the thing.

 

[Misanthrope]

If NZ had played Costa Rica in 2009, they likewise would not have qualified.

And had Mexico played Uruguay this time around, they'd not have made it. Whoever is partnered with South America may as well not show up 90% of the time.

 

[MrAnonymous]

They wont win it. But the have quality in their midfield and a solid defense as hornby said they lack a good front man.

I think Eder could do the job tho imo. Is he still injured ?

 

[ME SO HORNBY!]

^ yep... You're not going to beat the best teams consistently when Hugo Almeida and Helder Postiga are considered your two best striking options...