Portugal v Ivory Coast

This could be one of the games of the World Cup and it is likely to decide who qualifies from Group G if either team take three points. Ivory Coast have come into the World Cup as the favourites out of the African teams whilst Portugal seem relatively unfancied despite having one of the best players on the planet in the form of Cristiano Ronaldo. A poor qualifying campaign from Portugal has already highlighted their weaknesses.

Portugal v Ivory Coast Match Odds

A bet on the winner of the match is always a popular one and gives you a bet that lasts right up until the final whistle. In competitive games like this there are good odds on both sides.

BACK IVORY COAST TO BEAT PORTUGAL

Portugal are very narrow favourites over Ivory Coast in this match which is a testament to how far Ivory Coast have come in recent years. Given that Portugal were not at their best in qualifying for the World Cup, requiring a narrow playoff victory over Bosnia Herzegovina to get through, and the fact that Ivory Coast will have an edge in playing in Africa for this game, it is a bit of a surprise that Ivory Coast are not actually favourites to beat Portugal. It should be very close but Ivory Coast can win this game and secure the second place in the group behind Brazil.

Portugal v Ivory Coast Asian Handicap Odds

Asian Handicap is available on all games and offers slight variation on match betting, one team is usually given a lead to level the playing field and make it a more even contest and betting heat.

BACK IVORY COAST +0.25

Ivory Coast are possibly capable of winning this match without a head start but if you fancy a slightly less risky bet you can back Ivory coast +0.25 in the asian handicap. This doesn't look to have a massive risk attached to it yet is generously priced up at almost evens so has to go down as one of the better bets in this match.

Portugal v Ivory Coast Goals Odds

A look at how many goals are likely to go in and the best bets surrounding those goals.

Portugal Recent World Cup Qualifying Results

Ivory Coast Recent World Cup Qualifying Results

BACK IVORY COAST TO WIN 1-0 AND UNDER 2.5 GOALS

Portugal seem to have become one of the tightest teams in Europe, they kept an amazing nine clean sheets in twelve games in their qualifying campaign. That is a pretty amazing record but it does seem that it has been at the expense of their attacking capabilities, in seven games they scored even one goal or no goals at all.

Ivory Coast have played in the African Cup Of Nations recently and they played better teams than they will have faced in qualifying so that should give more clues about their form going into the World Cup. They scored five and conceded four in three games in that tournament which makes them look high scoring, they did play out a complete 0-0 bore draw against Burkina Faso though so their games can go either way.

Considering how defensive Portugal have been in qualifying it could be a safe assumption to think they will have more of an influence on how the game is played than Ivory Coast. Under 2.5 goals looks the main call in the goals markets but 1-0 to Ivory Coast should also be a play in Ivory Coast v Portugal.

Portugal v Ivory Coast Player Odds

A look at all the best bets that involve the players from Portugal and Ivory Coast, the most popular of which are the goalscorer odds.

Portugal v Ivory Coast Team News

The big news is thaty Didier Drogba is not fit enough to start this match due to the fractured arm he recevied less than a fortnight ago. Aruna Dindane and Gervinho will start up front for Ivory Coast and Salomon Kalou is likely to be very important when pushing forward. Portugal start with Cristiano Ronaldo as you would expect, Pedro Mendes is employed as the holding midfielder and Liedson and Danny will start in advanced positions.

BACK SALOMON KALOU TO SCORE FIRST AGAINST PORTUGAL

Everyone's attention will be on two players here, Cristiano Ronaldo and Didier Drogba. Ronaldo managed to score no goals at all in qualifying whcih suggest Portugal are not getting the best out of one of the world's best players, their top scorer in qualifying was Simao and he could be their main goal threat. Didier Drogba is always a threat and is worth consideration for the first goal, but Salomon Kalou has had a good season for Chelsea and Ivory Coast and could prove a bit of value to be the first goalscorer.

Portugal v Ivory Coast Half Time Odds

The half time betting markets allow you to bet on what the result will be at half time, either on its own or together with the full time result. This can help to maximise profit from a game when you have studied the form carefully.

BACK IVORY COAST / IVORY COAST IN THE HALF TIME / FULL TIME BETTING

Only one of Portugal most recent six World Cup qualifiers were all square at half time and just two of Ivory Coast's were so it certainly looks as though a goal is capable of going in in the first half. With only one goal expected there are expected to be no changes in the result once a goal is scored so take Ivory Coast to be winning at both half time and full time.

Portugal v Ivory Coast Best Bet

Whoever wins this match is likely to win a low scoring match and it is very hard to see there being three or more goals, especially with Portugal having so many low scoring games in qualifying. We have seen many low scoring games so far at the World Cup and this is likely to be another that has under 2.5 goals, which is the best bet in the game.