Why aren't Portugal favourites for the World Cup?

Because:

a) They struggled through qualifying
b) They have no decent strikers
c) They have Ivory Coast & Brazil in their group
d) They will have to play Spain in 2nd round
e) They are complete bottlers (Euro 2004)

Hope this helps...

Well ! Talk about rude....

They struggled early in qualifying, granted. One of their players has scored about 100 goals in the last three seasons, although he didn't score in qualifying, granted.

Ivory Coast are not very good I'm afraid. They are no danger to Portugal whatsoever imho.

Can't really have Spain either. Very lopsided team, who underperform routinely at the World Cup.

Portugal have a strong defence, even stronger if they can get Pepe fit, a strong midfield, and Ronaldo and Nani further forward, and Simao gets a few goals. They are way overpriced, of course because their draw is perceived to be a difficult one.

Just an opinion of course, don't really think they have bottled it, just have lacked goalscorers, as you say.

Anyway, good luck with your bets.

FWIW, I also think France are a massive price, again because people seem to have overreacted to the sheer madness of Raymond Domenech.

agreed..Portugal for me with Ronaldo and the brilliant Nani, they have a great chance.

nani brilliant

Lump on Ivory Coast and trade out

Portugal will be dumped out in group stage imo

This is a joke right!? Portugal? Those greasy strikerless swine. Toilet imo.

Portugal are ranked 3rd in the FIFA ratings
Worth a speculative bet ..

FIFA rankings are bullshhit

actually if you take out the stupid teams ranked too high

the rankings arent shyte at all..

Portugal are one such team

no they arent.. they will surprise a lot of teams in this world cup and a lot of fans imo.. good defensively and storkng with real quality in midfield.. got better as the players adopted the moron quieroz's tactics :)

dont think they will lose any of their group games as it goes..

No keeper
Questionable defence
OK midfield
1 man strikeforce (who is half the player in internationals)

No I'm not talking about England

No way they should be ranked above Netherlands or Argies and they could arguably be a lot lower on recent form and quality on paper

Getting out of the group will be a success IMO and they better hope Brazil slip up somewhere because Spain are much stronger

they are a big price but that is because they have a dog of a draw.  They will have 4 tough games while others are warming up.

recent form? competitive or friendlies?

only holland really qualified better than england.. and england only lost once wed got through after being the first team ever to win in croatia in a competitive game.. but of course thats cos they are gash rather than anythign england did..

argentina? with that joke in charge? lucky to get past teh group i think never mind the quarters

Agree - Portugal and France are the value bets. When you see those listed at 25/1 + 20/1 respectively then you see Engalnd, Argentina and Holland's prices, you just wonder what the feck is going on and who is backing those 3...

france arent value and never have been.. aging team and overrated players.. struglled to qualify and hav ebeen abysmal in friendlies.. manager hated by fans and players since his squad debacle.. players facing under age sex/procuring prostitute charges afetr the wc..

wont even qualify from their group imo

Nani is mint, he ll rip some fulbacks apart in this comp
he ll have the protection he does nt get in the EPL
him and ronaldo will help Portugal get to the final