| Outright Odds: 22/1 | | | | Simao Sabrosa and naturalised Brazilian Deco |
| | | | compliment the side perfectly and create |
| Group D Winners: 5/6 | | | | numerous chances for striker Pauleta. The |
| | | | Paris St. Germain hitman overtook Eusebio's |
| After a disastrous 2002 World Cup, in which | | | | record of 41 international goals with an |
| they finished bottom of their group following | | | | impressive haul of 11 in qualifying, making |
| defeats by both the United States and South | | | | him the European zone's top goalscorer. |
| Korea, Portugal will be looking to finally | | | | |
| live up to their potential on the | | | | Manchester United winger Ronaldo could |
| international stage. | | | | illuminate the finals with his skills and |
| | | | coveted step-overs. He weighed in with seven |
| Qualification was a breeze. They remained | | | | qualifying goals from midfield, raising his |
| unbeaten in their group and finished seven | | | | "Fantasy Football" stock considerably. |
| points clear at the top. Portugal meant | | | | |
| business in this group, putting 11 past | | | | Portugal have all the makings of a World Cup |
| Luxembourg across two legs and hammering | | | | winning side: a solid defence, exceptional |
| second-favourites Russia 7-1 at home. | | | | quality and goalscoring potential from |
| | | | midfield and Europe's deadliest striker in |
| The charismatic Luiz Felipe Scolari, or "Big | | | | qualifying. |
| Phil" to his friends, has built a new team to | | | | |
| replace the ageing or retired underachievers | | | | Their main downfall appears to be the |
| such as Rui Costa, Joao Pinto and others | | | | goalkeeping position. Sporting Lisbon's |
| although Luis Figo, now entering "veteran" | | | | Ricardo and Quim from Benfica are both vying |
| status and out of retirement, will be present | | | | for the jersey although the supporter's |
| in Germany. Despite guiding Portugal to the | | | | choice seems to be out-of-favour Vitor Baia. |
| final of Euro 2004 and emphatic World Cup | | | | A veteran of the 2002 World Cup side, |
| qualification, the public are still not | | | | 36-year-old Baia was omitted from Scolari's |
| convinced he is the man for the job. | | | | final 23 in the Euro 2004 squad. |
| | | | |
| The team's core is based around four players | | | | Recommended Bet: |
| who won the Champions League with FC Porto in | | | | |
| 2004. Defenders Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo | | | | The underachieving squad from the past have |
| Ferreira and midfielder Maniche - now all at | | | | almost all been replaced by a brand new crop |
| Chelsea and Costinha, now at Dinamo Moscow | | | | of young talent. Old stagers Luis Figo and |
| provide a solid base for the attack-minded | | | | Pauleta will look for a final swansong, with |
| stars to play around. | | | | the latter a sound each-way bet for top |
| | | | goalscorer status. |
| Attacking players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, | | | | |