Group H - All eyes on Portugal boss Bento
At one point it looked like Jose Mourinho might lead Portugal into this crucial double header against Denmark and Iceland, however instead it's Paulo Bento, the 41-year-old former midfielder who coached Sporting Lisbon for four years, that has been named as Carlos Queiroz's permanent successor.
It's a brave appointment given that Bento's spell at the Estadio Jose Alvalade ended sourly but the public have greeted his hiring fairly warmly, with Mourinho deserving credit for graciously stating that "Portugal now have a coach and he should be recognised by everyone as our coach and the best".
Two wins are absolutely essential from the home game against Denmark and trip to Iceland after the [2.0] Group H favourites took just one point from clashes with Cyprus and Norway.
Friday's task will be tricky though, as Portugal are winless in three meetings with Denmark, losing 3-2 to them in Lisbon in qualifying for the last World Cup. Despite that they are massive [1.6] favourites to get off to the best start possible under Bento, with the [1.61] lay price sure to appeal to some.
In addition to discovering whether Portugal are once again a team to be feared following Bento's arrival, it will be interesting to learn quite how seriously Norway need to be taken as contenders to top the group, which is currently a [3.0] prospect.
They haven't qualified for an international tournament since Euro 2000 yet lead the way after beating Iceland and Portugal. Eight wins in nine matches have launched them up to 14th in the world rankings and - provided Denmark don't defeat Portugal - victory in Cyprus tomorrow at tasty odds of [2.44] will guarantee that they end 2010 in first place.
Will Portugal recover? Will Norway keep going? Or are Denmark the safe bet at [2.5] to outperform both? Let us know what you think below...
Published: 7 Oct 2010
Leave a comment