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.
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