Form has Portugal in another final
Published:
Ronaldo and co expected to progress
The semi-finals of the Confederations Cup takes place in midweek, with Portugal vs Chile kicking us off on Wednesday evening, live in front of the ITV cameras from 7.00pm. A big match on terrestrial TV, just what fans need to get through the summer.
Elsewhere and Linfield host La Fiorita in the early rounds of the Champions League, while there’s a host of fixtures going ahead in major leagues across the world. Click here to place your football bets with Coral, or read on as we preview the main event.
CR7 favourite to score first
Portugal finished top of Group A, remaining unbeaten in three starts, eventually edging out rivals Mexico on goal-difference. Starting with a 2-2 draw vs the Mexicans, Fernando Santos and his boys twice let the lead slip, Bernardo opening the scoring and Soares netting what looked to be a winner late on. Replies from Balcazar and a stoppage-time equaliser from Moreno capped an entertaining draw.
Ronaldo wasn’t on the scoresheet in that opener, but he got the winner in a 1-0 result vs Russia next time out, and CR7, who could very well be on his way back to Old Trafford when he returns from this tournament, again grabbed the opener in a 4-0 demolition of New Zealand to see them progress. Want to keep the Real Madrid star close? We’re giving 14/5 on him scoring the first goal, or 11/10 anytime.
Both are sure to be extremely popular with casual fans tuning into the competition now we are at the business end. That pulsating tussle with Mexico aside, Seleccao have been impressive at the back, winning each of their last two starts to nil, and three on the bounce is sure to catch the eye of value-hunters, 14/5 the price about another win without conceding.
Portugal to nick a tight match
There’s little for followers of the stats to get excited about, as this will be only the second meeting between these nations in history, the previous encounter ending 1-1 back in 2011, Portugal taking an early lead before being pegged back just before the break. This match producing under 2.5 goals is one for the big-hitters, or those sizing up an accumulator, 8/13 doing the rounds at present.
Punters look set for a competitive evening, but our football guys have Portugal as the side most likely to progress. Coral players can back them at 8/11 to qualify, or those with a bit more confidence will be encouraged to see 27/20 in the match betting.
Chile have failed to impress so far
Chile came out of Group B as runners up behind Germany, ending on five points. Impressive, on paper, but a closer look suggests they are a team worth opposing. An opening round win over Cameroon gets the credit it deserves, and the 1-1 finish vs Germany isn’t too shabby either, but a game three draw with Australia raises questions.
One win and two draws, hardly the kind of form that’s going to have punters rush out and support a Chile upset with their hard-earned cash. Our traders don’t hold much hope of Chile booking a place in the final, against either Germany or Mexico, but if you’d prefer to have a go on the underdogs, the 2/1 will be very much to your liking.
