Portugal - Odds to Win 2014 FIFA World Cup

Portugal was drawn into the Group of Death for the second straight World Cup and will they advance to the last 16 like they did in South Africa. Odds makers think so having them with good odds to move to the last 16 along with Germany with the USA and Ghana being long shots.

It helps that the squad has one of if not THE best strikers in the world in Cristiano Ronaldo, but defense was an issue in qualifying and will remain so in Brazil. Still, Portugal is a dangerous team with many world-class players and with Ronaldo they can score at any time and quickly erase any deficit.

Portugal Odds to win World Cup 2014: +3300
Portugal Odds to win Group G: +275

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How They Advanced:

Portugal was favored to win their group but they were a bit of a disappointment finishing second behind Russia. However, when they played in the European qualifying tie facing Sweden they won 4-2 on aggregate with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring a hat trick in the second leg at home. After a sluggish start they won six of their last seven qualifying matches.

Portugal’s problem is defense and in their qualifying matches they had three where they gave up at least two goals.

Early Prediction:

Portugal has lapses in matches and they have a hard time keeping up intensity for the whole 90 minutes, but that is easy to do with Ronaldo on the pitch. They have the midfield to help their star striker out and that helps take care of their defensive liabilities. Look for Portugal to lose their first match to Germany and then win their next two facing the United States and Ghana.

Portugal will advance to the quarterfinals, as coming in second in Group G they will play and beat he winner of Group H, which is not a strong group. However, their ride will end like in the 2006 World Cup where they will lose in the quarterfinals.

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

Portugal Key Players

Cristiano Ronaldo FW Real Madrid – is he or Lionel Messi the best striker in the world?
Joao Moutinho MF Monaco – The main playmaker to get Ronaldo the ball.
Nani MF Manchester United – The attacking MF will take pressure off Ronaldo and if he is left alone he is dangerous.

Past World Cup Results:

2010 Round of 16 lost to eventual champion Spain 1-0
2006 Lost in semifinals to France 1-0
2002 Did not advance out of group stage

Portugal World Cup Schedule:

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

Portugal World Cup Roster