Denmark v Portugal: Bento to take out not-so-great Danes

Kick-off: 17:00 BST
Live On: ITV

Match Odds

Denmark are three points better off after the first round of matches and topped a qualifying group that included Portugal, but it's the Iberians who lead this market.

Paulo Bento's team have positive group-of-death experience to draw on from South Africa a couple of years ago, when a couple of nil-alls and a hellacious thrashing of North Korea helped them through a group containing Brazil and Cote d'Ivoire. The coach wasn't at that tournament, but he did seem to be aiming for another 0-0 against Germany and his charges just about deserved a point.

Bento is not allowed to be so unambitious this time. Portugal have the players, if not yet the system, to attack and beat teams of Denmark's calibre. The Scandinavians were lucky to encounter a very profligate Holland last time out. Portugal are unlikely to be so forgiving on Wednesday and backing them to take the three points they urgently need looks a good idea at 2.0621/20.

Over/Under 2.5 Goals

The second round of group-stage games tends to be more open than the first: in European Championships since 1980 the ratio of games with Over 2.5 Goals increases from 27% to 44%.

Portugal conceded only one goal in four World Cup games a couple of years ago, but did not look so well organised against Germany, who were almost as wasteful as Holland in front of goal.

Denmark found the back of the Dutch net and scored at least once in each of their eight qualifiers (thanks, Opta). They were fortunate to keep a clean sheet at the weekend, however, and Over 2.5 Goals could be a bit long at 2.3411/8.

When Portugal needed to respond to Mario Gomez's strike at the weekend, Bento sent on an extra forward, the team attacked with a bit of dash and a flurry of chances ensued. If the approach is the same for the start of this match, goals will come. And perhaps for Denmark too.

Both Teams to Score?

Because this is Wednesday's first game Denmark will not know how good a result a draw is for them until much later in the evening after Germany have played Holland.

Morten Olsen's team were bold and purposeful on the ball against the Dutch and might start the same way against Portugal.

But then they slowed right down to protect their lead. If he advises caution from the start this time - in the hope that Germany will beat Holland and leave themselves little to play for in their third game - you might prefer Both Teams to Score at 2.111/10 to Over 2.5 Goals because this bet covers the 1-1 draw, which has been a common scoreline at recent European Championships. Four of the 16 second group-stage games at Euros 2004 and 2008 finished with this result.

Corners Match Bet

Denmark won more points than Portugal in the teams' eight-game qualifying campaign, but fewer than half as many corners. Portugal also trounced Germany 11-2 in their most recent corners battle, while the Danes were beaten 11-4 by the Dutch.

Bento cannot call on a central midfielder with the creativity of, say, Rui Costa or Deco, so his team tend to attack down the flanks, where Ronaldo and Nani are formidable opposition for any full-back. Ronaldo might not be an out-and-out winger, but because opponents are so keen that he doesn't cut inside they invite him to go round the outside, accepting that against him a corner is a good result from any one-on-one situation.

If there's someone who'll offer you 1.68/13 for Portugal to win most corners in this match, offer fulsome thanks for their generosity and take the bet.

Best Bet: Back Portugal @ 2.0621/20 to win
Other Recommended Bet: Back Portugal @ 1.68/13 to win the Corners Match Bet

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