World Cup Betting - Will Portugal win the World Cup_

Soccer fans have been out in force cheering their favorite team as the FIFA World Cup celebrations begin. Well, don't expect the Portuguese fans to be lagging behind! They've thrown all their support behind their home team and are expecting great things from them this year. But is the Portuguese soccer team capable of winning the coveted trophy this year - all World Cup betting fans want to know - or are fans' expectations bound to meet disappointment%u2026again? Let's spend a little time analyzing the team to find out what its chances really are, forWorld Cup betting sakes!

Though Portugal has been participating in the FIFA World cups since 1966, they are unfortunately yet to take the much desired cup home. Their highest position came in the same year they made their debut appearance. They reached the semifinal stage, losing 2-1 to England. This year, Portugal took the third place.

In the subsequent years, it only made it to the FIFA World Cup three times - in 1986, 2002 and 2006. Although they only managed to climb up to the fourth spot in 2006, they were in poor 17th and 24th positions in 2002 and 1986.

Portugal's attempts to qualify for the World Cup this year were a disaster. Queiroz was criticized more than he deserves. Portugal's loss to Denmark at home was enough to make it difficult for Queiroz, as were the three draws that came in their qualifying path. But, the team rallied to notch up three consecutive wins in Albania followed by a victory over Bosnia (2-0) to book their spot in the much anticipated event. They have been placed in Group G along with South Korea, Ivory Coast, and Brazil.

Under coach Carlos Queiroz, the Portuguese World Cup 2010 team consists of goalkeepers, Beto and Daniel Fernandes, and defenders Bruno Alves and Fabio Coentrao. Midfielders Deco, Miguel Veloso and Raul Meireles are Tiago and Cristiano Ronaldo.pengeluaran togel Strikers are Simao Sabrosa, Simao Sabrosa, Nani and Liedson.

pengeluaran sgp The key stars in this lineup, without a doubt, include Ronaldo, Liedson and Pepe. Much is expected of Ronaldo who failed to make it to the last three team matches on account of injury. You might recall, however, that Ronaldo was not able to score in any of his qualifying matches. Having said that, Ronaldo isn't the world's most expensive player for nothing! If he does what he's known for (read stunning free-kicks and mesmerizing goalscoring, coupled with skillful runs), there's much for their opponents to fear.

Liedson is now officially Portuguese. His crucial goal against Denmark in the qualifier run-up can be remembered best. Liedson, who plays in the forward position, is looked upon as a scorer thatPortugal can depend upon to deliver.

Pepe, fellow team-mate of Ronaldo on the Real Madrid team, will be in the midfielder's position. His importance can't be underestimated in terms of safe-guarding the back four, as he so brilliantly showed in the team's qualifying match against Bosnia.

While experts can't ignore the fact that Portugal has managed to qualify for all the World Cups since 2002 as well as the Euro Cup events in 2000, 2004 and 2008, - France, Germany, Italy and Spain being the other countries - however, their less than convincing path to theWorld Cup has given them enough reason to allow doubts to creep in. What almost all experts seem to agree upon - World Cup betting fans take heed - is the fact that Portugal is an underdog. In keeping with that and despite the fact that Portugal is ranked third, the odds of their winning the World Cup are set at 25/1.

Portuguese soccer fans can take heart however, from past experiences which show that underdogs have just as much of a chance to strike the right note and scale the pinnacles of fame and glory as any other team.

Where can you bet on the World Cup? Go to the official site for World Cup betting.