World Cup
2006-07-05 - Portugal vs France
A Sports Betting Pick by MikeHawk
PORTUGALPortugal vs Angola 1-0
Portugal vs Iran 2-0
Portugal vs México 2-1
Portugal vs Holland 1-0
Portugal vs England 0-0 (3-1)
Portugal is doing a great world cup and despite some luck either against Holland and England is well deserved. The sprit of the group, influenced by Scolari, is great, the players are very motivated and they are showing their best in this competition. The team plays always in the same manner, trying to score a goal early and latter doing a patience game, waiting for the opponent, and then doing the counter-attack. The defense is top class, Miguel is playing great football and you see what Robben and Joe Cole did in the previous games, nothing! Carvalho also playing at his best and Meira has been improving his game, he is less nervous than in the first games. Valente is doing his job fine. In the midfield Costinha although the big mistake against Holland is playing good and he has a good replacement Petit. Maniche is a pleasant surprise for me, maybe the fact that he only played a few games is this season is helping him with the great form that he has now. Deco, Figo and Ronaldo are playing good they keep the ball upfront creating the chances of goal. Pauleta like I expected only score once against poor Angola and I doubt that he scores again. He is definitely our weakest link but Scolari keep trusting in him and I doubt that he changes his mind.
This match against France brings memories of the euro2000 when Portugal was ruled out of the tournament. But in that time although we had a striker in good form (Nuno Gomes) our defense and midfield weren’t so strong in some positions. Scolari gives a lot of importance at the backside of the team, and I believe that this time we won’t suffer the same kind of pressure from France that we suffer back in 2000. At this point anything is possible and everybody in Portugal believes that is we can do better then in 1966 where we achieve the 3rd spot.
FRANCE
France vs Switzerland 0-0
France vs South Korea 1-1
France vs Togo 2-0
France vs Spain 3-1
France vs Brazil 1-0
France is improving their form, and although they were considered old at the beginning of the tournament now they are considered a great team with the big achievement of sending the Brazilians back home and with a great possibility to reach the final. Zidane, maybe the player of the tournament showing an excellent form, Henry a top striker, Ribery one of the new French generation, he is really fast , two excellent midfields at back Vieira and Makelele, very powerful defenders and a good bench. I rate this French team very high, they are now highly motivated showing the world that they were mistaken when they calling oldies.
HEAD 2 HEAD
No doubt that if tradition makes a point Portugal will be out of the final!
25-04-01 (France) France vs. Portugal 4:0 (3:0)Friendly
28-06-00 (Belgium) France vs. Portugal 2:1 a.e.t (1:1, 0:1)EURO 2000
22-01-97 (Portugal) Portugal vs. France 0:2 (0:1) Friendly 1997
24-01-96 (France) France vs. Portugal 3:2 (1:2) Friendly 1996
VERDICT
Looking at the players, I have no doubt about who’s going to win the match. But I thought the same in France – Brazil. Portugal have a slightly handicap in terms of class players although I rate our defense higher than the French one. In terms of coaches I think Scolari is a few steps higher than Domenech. Scolari has world cup experience and he coaches this team for 4 years. Tradition is on the French side, and if the Portuguese won against Holland and England like tradition said this time if tradition is right we are going to lose! Portuguese players know each other very well playing for at least two years some of them in a great form with a desire of getting a new club and a bigger wage! They have a great mental and physical condition. I think that at this point of the competition the experience of the coach and the experience of the team won’t lose against this excellent French team. Also expecting few goals as I think the defenses will supplant the attacks.
The Pick :
0-0 (or 1-0)
BEST BETTING TIP :
Only 2 games in 10 played by the two teams had more than 2 goals. It was Portugal – México and France - Spain. So, under 2,5 goals is a good choice.
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
The value is great and I think that Portugal won’t lose at regular time so I’ll give the +0.5 for Portugal.
