Portugal does have, arguably, the best player in the world in Cristiano Ronaldo, but can the other team around him help him out when he is isolated by solid defenders?
World Cup 2014 odds: Portugal betting preview, odds to win Group G
Portugal could go all the way or be done in the first round. This is what World Cup betting becomes when you are drawn into the Group of Death.
Martin Rose
The squad has been drawn into the Group of Death for the second straight World Cup and they have the second best betting odds to win the group this summer.
Ronaldo is the key player for Portugal, but the midfield duo of Joao Moutinho and Nani has to play well and Bruno Alves must be the anchor of the defense.
They are in Group G along with Germany, Ghana, and USA.
Portugal Odds to win World Cup 2014: +2800
Portugal Odds to win Group G: +275
In the last World Cup Portugal lost to eventual champion Spain in the quarterfinals and they may have a better all-around squad in Brazil.
The squad has been up and down in their last three World Cup tune-ups playing to a 1-1 draw against Holland, losing badly to Brazil, and crushing Cameroon 5-1 with Ronaldo netting two goals. He remain a top pick in odds to win the World Cup scoring race.
All three of these teams are playing this summer, so Portugal is match tested, as they get ready for the Group of Death.
World Cup Prediction for Portugal
Portugal’s first match is their toughest facing Germany and while they lose that match they will win their next two facing USA and Ghana. The Americans and Ghana will concentrate on Ronaldo and the other players will come through in getting the critical three points from each of those matches.
Like the last World Cup where Portugal finished second in the Group of Death they will lose their round of 16 match. They will face the Group H winner, which will be Belgium, who will win.
How Portugal got to the World Cup
Portugal finished a surprising second in their qualifying pool, which was not a strong one. They finished behind Russia and had to play a European playoff tie with Sweden.
That tie showed what a strong player Ronaldo is, as Portugal won 4-2 on aggregate with the superstar from Real Madrid scoring all four goals including a hat trick in the second leg at home.
Overall in the qualifying process Portugal had six wins, one loss, and three draws. After losing to Russia on the road in their first match they went unbeaten in their last 9.
World Cup Qualifying Results
12/10/12 Russia 1 - 0 Portugal
16/10/12 Portugal 1 - 1 Northern Ireland
22/03/13 Israel 3 - 3 Portugal
26/03/13 Azerbaijan 0 - 2 Portugal
07/06/13 Portugal 1 - 0 Russia
06/09/13 Northern Ireland 2 - 4 Portugal
11/10/13 Portugal 1 - 1 Israel
15/10/13 Portugal 3 - 0 Luxembourg
15/11/13 Portugal 1 - 0 Sweden
19/11/13 Sweden 2 - 3 Portugal
16//06/14 Germany vs. Portugal - Arena Fonte Nova
22/06/14 United States vs. Portugal - Arena Amazonia
26/06/14 Portugal vs. Ghana - Nacional
Team Key Players
Cristiano Ronaldo FW Real Madrid - May be the best striker in the world and the player that all other teams will key on.
Joao Moutinho MF Monaco - he is a solid playmaker in the midfield that has to help Ronaldo out on offense and also help control the ball for his squad.
Bruno Alves DF Fenerbahce - The anchor of the defense that will have to play well, especially when teams in the group are on the counter attack.
See More:
