PORTUGAL
FIFA World Ranking: 5
Previous Best: Winners 2016
Last 5 Euros (Latest first): Won-SF-QF-RU-SF
How Qualified: Runners Up Group B
Qualifying Record: P8 W5 D2 L1 F22 A6 GD16 Pts17
Tournament Odds: 9/1
Squad
Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Rui Patrício (Wolves), Rui Silva (Granada)
Defenders: Rúben Dias (Manchester City), José Fonte (LOSC Lille), Raphael Guerreiro (Dortmund), Nuno Mendes (Sporting CP), Pepe (Porto), Nélson Semedo (Wolves), Diogo Dalot (AC Milan)
Midfielders: William Carvalho (Real Betis), Danilo (Paris), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Gonçalo Guedes (Valencia), João Moutinho (Wolves), Rúben Neves (Wolves), Sérgio Oliveira (Porto), João Palhinha (Sporting CP), Pote (Sporting CP), Renato Sanches (LOSC Lille), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
Forwards: João Félix (Atlético Madrid), Diogo Jota (Liverpool), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), André Silva (Eintracht Frankfurt), Rafa Silva (Benfica)
Group Fixtures
June 15 vs Hungary (5pm – Budapest)
June 19 vs Germany (5pm – Munich)
June 23 vs France (8pm – Budapest)
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History
Portugal had been the nearly men in this competition for so long having made the quarter finals or better on the six occasions they had qualified for this tournament through the years. That all changed five years ago though when they saw off the hosts France to finally get their hands on silverware. They now defend the title for the first time and on paper at least look stronger to do so but this title against been defended successfully once so you could argue that history is firmly against them.
Qualifying
Even though they are the defending champions, Portugal still has to go through the qualifying competition and they made it through as runners up in a competitive section behind Ukraine. You might consider that to be a surprise result but they had a few issues personnel wise in the early stages of that section. It was a trappy section with Serbia in it as well so they did well to come through even if they did only come out on top in five of their eight matches. Predictably it was Cristiano Ronaldo who top scored for them in the group. He bagged 11 goals.
Pandemic Effect
I think Portugal are one of the sides who might have wanted the tournament 12 months ago. Cristiano Ronaldo is a year older and didn’t his club Juventus didn’t have the best season while Rui Patricio, a key figure of the 2016 run, has been patchy at best for his club this term. The flip side of that is Diogo Jota has kicked on again at Liverpool and Bruno Fernandes has established himself has one of the best players in the Premier League. It might not make a difference but Portugal looked stronger a year ago.
Strengths
Portugal never lack for creativity in the centre of the park but in Bernardo Silva, Renato Sanches and Bruno Fernandes they have oceans of it now. When you think they have the quality of Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho and maybe William Carvalho not guaranteed to get a starting position, the defending champions look loaded in the centre of the park. Then there is Cristiano Ronaldo who might want to go out with a bang, especially as he was withdrawn early in the final in 2016.
Weaknesses
If Portugal are going to get caught out in this competition then you would think it would be at the back where neither of the potential partners of Ruben Dias have any pace. That said though, they are usually well organised of a team not to let that be a concern so it might be that the goalkeeper becomes a weakness to focus on throughout the tournament. There is also the position of their group draw where anything above third place in not guaranteed and there are no easy knockout draws for finishing third.
Manager
It was under the veteran Fernando Santos that Portugal won Euro2016. He has often been criticised for stifling sides and boring fans with his conservative style of football, and indeed the team that won the Euros in France were anything but expansive even with Cristiano Ronaldo in it. To be fair to Santos though, he has adapted as this creative blend of players have become available to him and they now boast a more attack minded style. The 66-year-old took charge in September 2014 and has left a trail of success behind him since. His record as Portugal boss reads: P82 W49 D21 L12.
Key Players
Cristiano Ronaldo might have more attacking talent around him than at any other stage in his international career but he remains the main focus for this Portugal side, and to be fair to him rarely fails to deliver when he is in a Portugal shirt. If he has a good tournament it is hard to see Portugal not going well but someone will have to step up in his absence should he struggle or get injured at any point. Bruno Fernandes would then most likely become the talisman for this side.
Team Bets
Cristiano Ronaldo is all the rage in the top Portugal goalscorer market in this competition and that is absolutely fair enough because he is still a force at this level but whether he is any value at around the even money mark is open to debate. This is a Portugal side with plenty of riches in the attacking area and the goals might be shared around a little more than they usually are. I think a small play to take him on is the way forward here, especially if Portugal look to manage his workload.
I’ll take him on with the Liverpool forward Diogo Jota who is currently averaging a goal every other game in his international career and who might be fresher than most having missed a chunk of the season with an injury. He is extremely effective out on that left side of the Portugal attack and with Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes probing around the edge of the box he shouldn’t lack for chances. Ronaldo is a worthy favourite but at over five times the price the value lies with Jota here.
Tips
Back D.Jota Top Portugal Goalscorer for a 1/10 stake at 6.50 with Bet365
