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Portugal will look to secure their place in Euro 2012 next year when they take on Bosnia-Herzegovina in the second leg of their Euro 2012 play-off on Tuesday.
Bosnia were able to frustrate their illustrious opponents on Friday as Portugal were held to a 0-0 draw on the first leg on a bumpy pitch Christiano Ronaldo described as a “vegetable patch” – however Paulo Bento’s side will be confident of overcoming their tough opponents when they take to the field in Lisbon on Tuesday.
Much of the Bosnian plan on Friday entailed knocking the prolific Ronaldo off his stride to try and entice the winger into a booking that would rule him out of the second leg – a tactic that worked well to an extent as the home side could make a good case for waking out of the first leg with an advantage against an uncomfortable Portuguese side, growing into the game as it wore on before Vedad Ibisevic missed a clear opportunity late in the game to do just that.
Portugal can expect a similarly cagey affair on Tuesday as the visitors look to contain Ronaldo, Nani et al and counter late on the game to claim an unlikely victory as the hosts push forward, and the execution of this tactic will fall upon the shoulders of midfielders Miralem Pjanic and Zvjezdan Misimovic.
The classy playmakers were central to creating Bosnia’s late efforts on goal on Friday and will look to pull the strings and set up opportunities for in-form Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko, another who will be hoping to play a more central role to the outcome of the game this time round.
The 0-0 draw was the first time since Bento took over the Portuguese national side late last year that they have failed to find the back of the net, a run that stretches over 12 games.
The two teams have previous when it comes to deciding play-off games, with Portugal gaining the upper hand and winning a place at the 2010 World Cup at the expense of Bosnia, with a repeat of the 1-1 draw they secured against France to secure their place in the play-offs last month enough to send them through and Portugal crashing out.
The home side look a different outfit defensively with the return of Pepe and Fabio Coentrao at the back helping to keep Bosnia out, and the defensive duo will likely need to be at their best again if they are to bunt the visitors attack once more.
Match Winner
Despite Portugal being heavy favourites for the game, Bosnia have proved their worth in making it to the pay-offs and holding off the Iberians for 90 minutes, and are very well placed indeed to cause an upset.
In fact the visitors are 10.00 (9/1) with VC Bet to spring an upset and win outright on the night, a bet well worth considering and taking on. Portugal are 1.44 (4/9) with BetFred to claim the win and make it through to the finals in Poland and Ukraine next year while the draw is 4.50 (7/2) with SportingBet.
Correct Score
Bosnia would dearly love a repeat of the 1-1 away draw they secured against France last month, a scoreline that would put them through at Portugal’s expense, with Coral offering odds of 10.00 (9/1) on that result.
In what is expected to be a tight game a 1-0 home win can be backed at 6.50 (11/2) with @ BlueSQ, while a 2-1 scoreline in favour of the home side is placed at the same price.
The best placed Bosnian victory scoreline is 1-0, which is placed at 21.00 (20/1) with @ Coral, an offer seriously worth considering.
Recommended bets
First Goal scorer: Christiano Ronaldo, 3.60 (13/5) Paddy Power
To qualify: Bosnia, 3.75 (11/4) Paddy Power
