Monthly Archives: November 2011

Malaga to cash-in on Santander

Posted on by
Reply

In Monday evening’s only Spanish Primera Liga clash Malaga will look to secure maximum points at Racing Santander at the fourth time of asking in recent meetings.

Manuel Pellegrini’s Malaga side occupy sixth position in the standings at the time of writing and can move to within four points of current third-placed side Valencia with a victory against Racing.

The Chilean coach’s options are limited due to the loss of key men such as Julio Baptista and Kris Stadsgaard due to respective injury problems, while he could also be tempted to make some changes as several of his players have returned from international duty over the past few days.

Ruud van Nistelrooy, Enzo Maresca and Sergio Sanchez could all gain a start in the game.

Malaga’s target of a top-four finish and Champions League qualification this season was hindered by a draw against Real Betis in the Andalucian derby last time out. Therefore three points are the target on this occasion in order to keep pressure on the teams above them.

However, that mission will not be helped by the fact that Racing have a decent record against them and they will be hoping to continue that at the Estadio El Sardinero as they need points for very different reasons.

Hector Cuper’s side currently occupy third-bottom spot and could find themselves in deeper trouble should Sunday’s results go against them.

They go into the match without the suspended striker Ariel Nahuelpan, whilst Lautaro Acosta, Kennedy Bakircioglu and Jairo Samperio are all out due to injury.

However, Cuper is boosted by the return of Papakouli Diop from suspension and veteran midfielder Gonzalo Colsa is set to play for the first time this season after surgery as they look to go one better than the goalless draw with fellow strugglers Granada a fortnight ago.

It looks like the scene is set for Malaga to secure three points at Racing Santander, although the recent form guide suggests it will be a tricky test for Pellegrini’s men.

Racing have picked up five points from their last three games, including a win against Real Betis and draw at Seville, while Malaga have been rocked by the loss of Baptiste to a foot injury which will sideline him for another month.

And, Pellegrini summed up how difficult it will be for his Malaga side to come out on top when he said: “They’re not an easy opponent, we’re prepared for a difficult, close game tomorrow, where the difference will be minimal.”

With that in mind, we feel the likely outcome will be another share of the spoils in this Monday night showdown.

Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 9/4
Value Bet: Draw 1-1 Correct Score @ 11/2

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Goals galore on Redknapp return

Posted on by
Reply

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp looks set to return to the dugout for his side’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa on Monday, with the Londoners hoping to extend their unbeaten league run to nine games.

Redknapp has been absent for the past three weeks following minor heart surgery but that hasn’t stopped his team from picking up points. They have won seven of their last eight in the league, meaning they have made their best start since 1990.

With memories of last season’s Champions League adventure still fresh in the mind, Tottenham are desperate for a return to Europe’s premier competition.

They currently sit in fifth place, on the cusp of that magical fourth spot, but with six points separating Newcastle in third and Liverpool in seventh, competition for the Champions League places is set to be intense.

Villa boss Alex McLeish, meanwhile, will be quietly satisfied with his start to life in the Villa Park hot seat. The Scot knew he needed a decent start following his controversial move from city rivals Birmingham over the summer, so eighth place after 11 games represents a respectable opening.

However, the trip to White Hart Lane – a ground where they have won just once in ten years – sees the start of a tough run of fixtures from now until Christmas. Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea all lie on the horizon, meaning those early season points could prove more valuable than first thought.

Tottenham will be hoping that Rafael van der Vaart will recover from a hamstring injury in time to play. The Dutchman has scored six goals in his last six games and is understandably 4/1 joint favourite to net first. If van der Vaart doesn’t make it then Jermain Defoe may get a rare start. Defoe has hit three goals in Tottenham’s last four home games against Villa and is 9/2 to do so again.

Unsurprisingly, with their dazzling array for forwards, goalscoring has not been a problem for Redknapp’s men. They have hit 20 goals in their past eight league games – so over 2.5 goals at 8/13 looks a good option while four or more goals is priced at 7/4.

Villa meanwhile will again be relying on Darren Bent and Gabriel Agbonlahor to supply them with goals. Former Sunderland hit man Bent – now an England regular – has five goals this season and has scored four in six league matches against Spurs. Agbonlahor also has five goals and earned recall to Fabio Capello’s squad for last week’s friendly double header with Spain and Sweden, only for a hamstring injury forcing him to pull out. Villa will hope he has recovered in time for Monday. Bent is priced at 15/2 to score first, while strike partner Agbonlahor is 10/1.

Despite being unbeaten against London clubs in 2011, Villa have yet to win away this season and their price of 6/1 reflects this. The draw is priced at 3/1, with a Tottenham victory 8/15. Value bets may be found in Spurs scorecasts, with Tottenham 2-1 Aston Villa priced at 18/1.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Eagles test for returning Pearson

Posted on by
Reply

Having spent 17 months away from Leicester City with Hull City, Nigel Pearson has now made a return to the King Power Stadium and his first challenge will be to take all three points against Crystal Palace on Sunday (Leicester City 8/11, draw 5/2, Crystal Palace 4/1).

Pearson was confirmed as the Foxes boss earlier this week following the departure of former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson after a less than convincing start to the Championship campaign.

Leicester currently sit in mid-table and will be eager to close down the gap on the automatic and play-off places before they get too far away in what is once again a very competitive league.

However, three points won’t be easy to come by against a Palace side who have surprised many under their relatively inexperienced manager Dougie Freedman this term.

The Eagles narrowly avoided relegation last season on the final day, however they now find themselves battling in the play-off places and a win over the Foxes would be another big step forward for the London outfit.

Palace will be boosted by the loan signing of Chris Martin, who could make his debut for the club having joined from Norwich City earlier in the week.

The striker proved with the Canaries last season that he is more than capable at Championship level and he will certainly be a danger.

Martins’ introduction will compensate for the loss of talented midfielder Jonathan Williams who sustained a broken leg on international duty with the Wales Under-21 team.

As for the Foxes, they welcome back David Nugent (9/2 – First Goalscorer) following his recovery from a hamstring injury, however Pearson will have to do without the services of suspended Sol Bamba and injured Darius Vassell.

With the return of Pearson, the Foxes should have enough quality to secure all three points this weekend.

Sunday’s other fixture in the Championship sees Bristol City make the tough trip to the New Den to take on Millwall (Millwall 4/5, draw 5/2, Bristol 7/2).

Until their 1-0 defeat to Blackpool in their last outing, the Lions looked like one of the most dangerous sides in the division, with a 3-0 and a 4-1 victory over Coventry City and Ipswich Town respectively.

Darius Henderson (4/1 – First Goalscorer) and Jay Simpson have been in decent goalscoring form and Bristol City’s defence will certainly have their work cut out for them.

Millwall will also welcome Josh Wright into their ranks after he did enough on a recent trial and will be looking to impress if he is given an opportunity by Kenny Jackett.

Bristol City will be looking for their first back-to-back win of the season following their victory of Burnley. Under manager Derek McInnes the club have turned a corner but still have not won a league game at Millwall since 1997 and they may have to wait a bit longer.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Torres still to silence doubters

Posted on by
Reply

There is much more to Sunday’s big Premier League clash between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge than Fernando Torres with plenty at stake for both sides as they look to fulfill their ambitions this season.

Three defeats so far for the Blues is hardly the start that fans were hoping for under new boss Andre Villas-Boas, with his side in danger of getting left behind the two Manchester clubs as they are already nine points behind the leaders going into the weekend’s round of matches.

There is, of course, still plenty of time to go in the title race but Chelsea cannot afford too many more slip-ups, with Carlo Ancelotti’s second place last year not enough to save him from the axe.

Liverpool themselves were reinvigorated by Kenny Dalglish’s appointment last January but expectations have risen following the huge outlay on players, which so far have not been met.

The Reds have lost just twice this season but are lying in sixth place in the table, three points behind Spurs in fifth who have a game in hand, although a victory on Sunday would see them draw level with currently fourth-placed Chelsea.

The Reds spent big up front in January on Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll, while Craig Bellamy was a summer acquisition, but goals have been a problem with just 14 from their opening 11 games.

This is particularly the case at Anfield with the unbeaten run masking the fact that they have won only two of six games in front of their own fans.

According to the stats, Suarez has had 51 shots in the Premier League this season but only found the back of the net on four occasions – although he has been unlucky in the sense that Liverpool have hit the woodwork a league-high of 10 times.

A current race-row involving Patrice Evra may not be the ideal situation for Suarez at the moment, although he will be going into the game on the back of becoming the first player to score four goals in an international for Uruguay – and is priced at 7/1 to open the scoring, 15/8 anytime.

On the other side is former Liverpool golden boy Torres – who is still trying to justify the £50m that Chelsea splashed out in acquiring his services on transfer deadline day last January – scoring just five goals in 30 appearances.

He failed to score on his debut for the Blues in this fixture last year but has hardly done himself any favours with his comments about his departure from Anfield earlier in the week.

Torres is a 5/1 chance to open the scoring in the match, although Didier Drogba is available again after recovering from an arm operation and the Ivorian is the 9/2 favourite.

Chelsea will not find it easy going as, despite their problems in front of goal, Liverpool have been miserly in defence with just 10 goals conceded and just 38 shots allowed on target, while goals have been hard to come by in this fixture as a whole as well – Under 2.5 goals in the Total Goals betting looks good value at 5/6.

Chelsea have failed to find the net in five of the last seven Premier League games and three of the last four at home against Liverpool, while one of the teams has kept a clean sheet in 10 of the last 11 meetings.

These two sides have met a whopping 28 times in all competitions since 2004, with Chelsea holding the edge with 12 wins to nine, but they have struggled of late and may fail to justify 5/6 favouritism – with Liverpool priced at 7/2 to upset the odds, and the draw on offer at 5/2.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Реал Мадрид сыграет без Роналду? «Локомотив» сможет обыграть «Спартак»?

Posted on by
Reply

Футбол. Чемпионат России. Премьер-Лига.

Спартак – Локомотив. Волею составителей уникального календаря мы получили уже третью встречу этих Maicon ball 1 300x216 Реал Мадрид сыграет без Роналду? Локомотив сможет обыграть Спартак?команд в рамках чемпионата за один сезон, и что самое приятное – это не конец.

Как это не прискорбно для болельщиков «Локо» 2.90, их любимая команда не смогла ни разу за 180 минут игры  распечатать  ворота «Спартака». В последней игре  Эммануэль Эменике в одиночку расправился с обороной «Локомотивом». Неизвестно, будут ли готовиться подопечные Коусейро по собенному, но то, что настало время «поквитаться», – этот точно.

Артем Дзюба, недавно дебютировавший в составе сборной России, заявил, что хочет побороться за чемпионство, а если уж не занять первое, то как минимум, оказаться вторыми. Нет, форварда «Спартака» 2.30 не привлекают серебряные медали, он просто хочет в Лигу Чемпионов!

Роман Шишкин и Дмитрий Сычев практически в унисон высказались в том смысле, что это будет совершенно другая игра, и ради победы над «Спартаком» они аккумулируют все имеющиеся у них силы.

Предсказать исход этого матча практически невозможно…

Футбол. Чемпионат Испании. Примера

Валенсия – Реал Мадрид. До паузы, связанной с матчами сборных команд, «Реал» демонстрировал «галактический футбол», который позволял ему деклассировать соперников и ладно бы это были заштатные аутсайдеры. Но нет, «Осасуна» – это хороший «серядняк» испанской Примеры, но даже она увезла семь мячей из Мадрида.Для любого соперника игра на «Месталье» – это испытание, даже такие гранды, как «Барселона» и «Реал» не могут быть уверены в исходе матча. Конечно, сейчас не времена Гаиски Меньдьеты, когда «Валенсия» 5.75 всерьез боролась за чемпионство, уже прошли. Но настроиться на одну конкретную встречу – это для «летучих мышей» в самый раз.

Кроме того, в игре точно не примет участие бразилец Кака. Это не самая большая проблема Жозе Моуринью, так как после феерического выступления за сборную Португалии, Криштиану Роналду получил травму. Растяжение приводящей мышцы бедра может значительно увеличить шансы «Валенсии» в этом матче, так как без Роналду справиться с «Реалом» 1.53 более реально.

Хотя я уверен, что Мадрид не проиграет в этой встрече.

Related posts:

  1. «Динамо» сразится со «Спартаком», а «Локомотив» примет ЦСКА. «Реал Мадрид» не остановить?! Футбол. Чемпионат России. Премьер-Лига Динамо – Спартак. Футбольный матч «Спартак»…
  2. Роналду и Месси в битве за «Кубок Короля»! «Арсенал» и «Тоттенхэм» – «разборки» в северном Лондоне! ЦСКА с «Зенитом» встретятся на Неве. Футбол. Кубок Испании. Финал Барселона – Реал. Мы добрались до…
  3. Адебайор может дебютировать в матче с Осасуной. Кобе Брайант против Пола Пирса – ставки очень высоки! Футбол. Испания. Осасуна – Реал. За последние несколько дней в…

Список похожих постов предоставлен вам плагином YARPP.


Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Blues lead Championship treble

Posted on by
Reply

The Championship returns after the international break and teams will continue to jostle for position  in an extremely tight league. Just 12 points seperate the last team in the play-off spots and the side third from bottom, with the unpredictable division offering the punter some big-price winners. Here’s our Saturday home treble selection…

Birmingham v Peterborough (3pm)

Blues have done remarkably well to find themselves in mid-table at this stage, bearing in mind their hectic fixture schedule and the loss of several key players. Chris Hughton continues to work wonders with limited resources and Birmingham sit just four points outside the play-offs, with three games in hand on most of their rivals.

An international break will have helped Blues and they look a decent bet to maintain their unbeaten home record, with four wins and two draws in their six league games at St Andrew’s.

The Posh have scored plenty of goals so far this term, but they are also conceding plenty – 29 goals makes them the leakiest defence in the Championship.

Suggested Bet: Birmingham to win @ 4/5

Middlesbrough v Blackpool (3pm)

Boro have shown they have to be considered as real promotion candidates this season and their fine start is down to a solid run of home displays. Tony Mowbray’s men are yet to lose at the Riverside in the league and have conceded just 10 goals in eight home matches.

Boro have responded well to a 3-0 drubbing at leaders Southampton at the end of last month and a win on Saturday will make it three victories on the bounce, and could see them move into the top two.

Blackpool are dangerous opponents but their away form will be a concern to Ian Holloway. Apart from their freak 5-0 success at Leeds, their only other away win came in the opening game at Hull.

Suggested Bet: Draw HT/Boro FT @ 7/2

Reading v Cardiff (3pm)

Many will be surprised to see the Royals in the bottom half of the table at this stage of the campaign, but they do look like a team on the up. Having lost out in the play-off final last term, Brian McDermott’s men have suffered an early-season hangover, as well as losing some key players.

Reading have picked up in recent weeks and have lost just one of their last 10 games, and that was a narrow defeat at Nottingham Forest. The Royals have shored up at the back, conceding just once in their last three games, and in striker Adam Le Fondre have found a real bargain.

Cardiff themselves are on a good run – five games unbeaten – and are up into the top four in the table. But the Bluebirds have won just two away from home and could be facing Reading at the wrong time.

Suggested Bet: Le Fondre to score at anytime @ 3/2

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Gunners starting to fire

Posted on by
Reply

There are a whole host of intriguing matches to feast on as the Premier League resumes following the international break with key matches at both ends of the table in a jam-packed Saturday.

Norwich v Arsenal 12:45

The opening fixture of the weekend promises to be an entertaining affair with Norwich defying pre-season expectations to lie in ninth place, just two places below Arsenal, who have now started to click after a torrid start.

The Gunners go into the match on the back of a four-match winning streak and the threat of goals is apparent with Over 2.5 a 4/6 favourite in the Total Goals market, particularly with Norwich yet to keep a clean sheet.

Robin van Persie is simply irresistible at the moment with eight goals in those four games and is worth a stab at 4/1 in the first goalscorer betting, while he is priced at 11/10 to score at any time.

However, it might not be all one-way traffic though as Norwich have shown their penchant for attacking football but it is hard to see beyond an Arsenal win.

Man City v Newcastle 15:00

The Premier League’s two unbeaten teams go head-to-head at the Etihad as top entertains third but the betting suggests Newcastle’s run will come to an end with City 1/3 favourites to make it six out of six at home.

The match pits the best attack against the best defence but there are many who will argue that this is the Magpies first serious test of the season, despite having already played both Arsenal and Spurs.

There will be those who see value in the 10/1 about an away win and 4/1 on the draw but Newcastle have a poor away record in this fixture, and a reality check is about to dished out.

Wigan v Blackburn 15:00

A massive match looms at the foot of the table as well with the bottom two going head-to-head and although a win for either side would not take them out of the bottom three, it would keep them in touch with the sides above them.

Wigan are unbeaten in the last four against Rovers, including a thrilling 4-3 win ion this fixture last season, and are 6/4 favourites to take the three points.

However, they have lost their last eight games and can hardly be full of confidence going into the match and, despite having just one win to their name, Rovers are more than capable of getting something from this one.

The draw is priced up at 6/4 but a Rovers win is available at 19/10 and there are those who side with Steve Kean, like him or loathe him, and believe that Blackburn have deserved more than what they have got so far this season.

Elsewhere, and Everton and Wolves go head to head at Goodison but it is hard to see the Toffees as 8/13 favourites with just one win at home this season, and Mick McCarthy’s men may be able to take a point home with them at 11/4.

Stoke have not had Europe to worry about this week and can bounce back from the Bolton horror-show and justify 5/6 favouritism against inconsistent QPR , while Fulham can pick up a point at the Stadium of Light at 23/10 with Sunderland firing blanks in five of the last six matches between the two.

West Brom have struggled of late and will struggle to justify Evens favouritism against a Bolton side who have the incentive of climbing out of the relegation zone and above Saturday’s opponents with a win at 14/5 (the draw 5/2), while Manchester United are expected to be the first visiting team to win at the Liberty Stadium at 8/15 – although do not expect many goals in the day’s final game.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Гус Хиддинк способен на чудо? Роналду против Джеко – Португалия против Боснии и Герцеговины!

Posted on by
Reply

Футбол. Стыковые матчи Евро-2012.

Хорватия – Турция (счет первого матча 3:0). Как ни парадоксально это прозвучит, но для российского болельщикаGrass tackle 1 300x193 Гус Хиддинк способен на чудо? Роналду против Джеко – Португалия против Боснии и Герцеговины! это совсем не чужие команды. Матч, в котором подопечные Славена Билича  на выезде одолели сборную Англии, очень долго будут вспоминать в России. Вся запутанность ситуации заключается в том, что руководил тогда российской сборной Гус Хиддинк, который на данный момент является тренером турецкой команды. Но как злословят некоторые – это ненадолго.

Сборная Турции за десять матчей отборочного цикла пропустила всего одиннадцать мячей, а за  один матч с хорватами 1.70 уже три… В дополнение ко всем бедам янычар произошло это на их земле, как они намерены теперь отыгрываться – пока неясно. Победа хорватов кажется очевидной, но кто мог представить, как сложится первый матч? Так может и второй подарит чудо? Тем более, что просто победа турков 5.00 вполне возможна.

Португалия – Босния и Герцеговина (счет первого матча 0:0). По давно заведенной традиции стыковых матчей кто-то из фаворитов должен пасть перед напором «темной лошадки». И крайне прагматичный результат первого матча оставил немалые шансы молодой сборной Боснии и Герцеговины!

Взглянув на состав сборной Португалии 1.40, в глазах может зарябить от соцветия звезд: Роналду, Нани, Бруну Алвеш, Пепе…Да с таким составом они могут обыграть любого соперника! Но нет, сперва в группе «потомки Колумба» играли в непонятный футбол и едва запрыгнули «на подножку» стыковым матчей, и вот теперь они должны явственно «чувствовать пропасть» за своими спинами.

Это будет тот матч, в котором напряжение будет невыносимо давить на игроков. Брать тотал меньше 2.5 можно почти с закрытыми глазами, так как боснийцы 7.50 выроют окопы на своей половине поля, а Эдин Джеко будет караулить любую возможность забить в контратаке. В случае чего, есть Звездан Мисимович, который сможет исполнить опасный штрафной.

Не исключено, что  основное время также закончится нулевой ничьей, а там уже серия пенальти, где шансы всех соперников почти всегда примерно равны. В конце концов, почему бы Элверу Рахимичу не остановить Криштиану Роналду?

Related posts:

  1. Россия разыграет с Ирландией первое место. Азербайджан принимает Казахстан. Футбол. Евро 2012 Россия – Ирландия. Возможно, именно эта встреча,…
  2. Россия одной ногой на Евро-2012! Футбол. Евро-2012. Россия – Андорра. Не пустить на Евро-2012 сборную…
  3. Матч Россия – Армения покажет: есть ли в «товарищах согласие». Франческа Скьявоне против Ли На – итог непредсказуем! Теннис. Ролан Гаррос. Женщины Франческа Скьявоне – Ли На. Выход…

Список похожих постов предоставлен вам плагином YARPP.


Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Swedes to check England progress

Posted on by
Reply

The international year comes to an end on Tuesday night when England welcome Sweden to Wembley for what will be the last game before the build-up to Euro 2012 really begins. Having beaten Spain on Saturday, England’s players will be confident but would do well not to underestimate the Swedes (9/2, England 4/6, draw 13/5).

For many England supporters Saturday night might have been a bittersweet one. While the result and some aspects of the performance will give those who follow the Three Lions hope, there will be others who point to the flaws in their performance. Spain controlled the game from minute one and to see an England side dominated so much at Wembley might have come as a shock to those supporters still living on former glories.

The result papers over the cracks somewhat but Fabio Capello will hope beating the reigning world and European champions will give his England side the confidence boost they need to kick on. The only worry might be England becoming over confident thanks to the win and looking beyond a dangerous Sweden team.

Erik Hamren’s men qualified for Euro 2012 as the best runners-up from the group stage, finishing behind the Netherlands. The Swedes were the only team to take points off the Dutch, beating them 3-2 as they ended up with 24 points from a possible 30 in qualification.

Hamren has a decent squad at his disposal as well, lead by the mercurial Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The AC Milan striker blows hot and cold but when on form can be unplayable and is 15/8 to score at anytime. He should be supported by the likes of Sebastian Larsson, Kim Kallstrom, Johan Elmander and Ola Toivonen. While it isn’t the strongest Sweden squad ever assembled they should have enough to test England.

Capello has admitted he will make eight changes to his starting XI from the one that beat Spain, with Daniel Sturridge (9/2 first goalscorer), Bobby Zamora (9/2), Jack Rodwell, Danny Welbeck (4/1), Kyle Walker and Scott Carson all in the frame. Capello proved on Saturday that you can mix and match when it comes to your team selection but throwing so many youngsters into the fray could prove to be a mistake.

England fans will certainly expect a more open game on Tuesday, Capello admitting he had to play defensively against Spain given their quality. A more open game could suit both sides, with Sweden having failed to score on Saturday for the first time in 11 matches as they lost to Denmark 2-0.

The Swedes will hope they can raise their game for the clash with England, a fixture they have traditionally done well in having not tasted defeat since 1968. The last time the two nations met was in the group stages of the 2006 World Cup, Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole with the goals for England in the 2-2 draw.

The draw at 13/5 might be the result to go for if history is to repeat itself, with eight of the last 12 matches between the two countries having ended all square. England will be expected to win but Sweden have proven they have the Three Lions’ number over the years and could do so once again.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Ronaldo to lead Portugal to Euro finals

Posted on by
Reply

The second legs of the Euro 2012 play-offs take place on Tuesday as the final four sides book their places at the finals in Poland and Ukraine next summer. Portugal host Bosnia in one of most finely-poised ties but the home side should be backed to make it through

After a disappointing goalless encounter between these two sides on Friday evening, Portugal have home advantage going into the second leg and will be able to see off a resolute Bosnian side at the Estadio Nacional in which they can be backed at 4/9.

In the first leg, Portugal looked like the home side as they pushed players forward in an adventurous nature against the hosts, who looked content with taking a 0-0 scoreline from the game into the return leg in Lisbon.

Portugal would be one of the top seeds if they qualified for next summer’s finals and can rely on one of the world’s best player in Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese skipper went close to breaking the deadlock a couple of times in the opening leg, with Bosnian keeper Asmir Begovic  denying the Real Madrid forward from giving his side a lead going into the return fixture.

Ronaldo has been in scintillating form this season for his club side, scoring 17 goals in as many games for the Spanish giants.

Bosnia are likely to defend deep in Lisbon and it could be a free-kick that breaks the deadlock between the two sides. Therefore Ronaldo is a good bet to score the first goal in the game at 5/2. Don’t forget he also takes penalties for his country and plays in an advanced position when on national duty.

Although Ronaldo is the star in the Portugal side, they also have the likes of Nani, Raul Meireles and Helder Postiga, who have all been in good form for their respective clubs.

Portugal are a tough side to beat on home soil and they did beat the same opponents 1-0 in Lisbon in the second leg of their 2010 World Cup qualification play-off last year.

World champions Spain were beaten 4-0 in Lisbon last year by Paulo Bento’s side and have won six out of their last seven fixtures at home.

Bosnia are likely to adopt similar tactics to that in the first leg therefore the timing of the opening goal will be crucial. If Portugal can score an early goal in the game they will be able to open their opponents up and a scoreline of 3-0 to the home side looks a solid bet at 9/1.

However, if the score remains the same at half-time, Portugal will have to be more patient but they should get the opportunity to add misery on Bosnia once again.

The visitors have been hit with injuries to three of their first-choice defenders with Boris Pandza and Sasa Papac both out of the game through suspension.

Coach Safet Susic will be relying on some of his fringe players to step into the side for the trip, but it is very unlikely that they will be able to match the talent in the Portugal side so they are set to face elimination once again.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.