Bet Of The Day: Portugal - North Korea

Match Odds: Portugal 1.35, Draw 4.60, North Korea 10.0

Kick Off: Monday, June 21, 2010. 13:30 CET
Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town

Memories of 1966 are sure to be in the air when these sides clash at lunchtime. Then, as now, Portugal have one truly magnificent player, while the North Koreans will undoubtedly have an eye on a shock like their heroes did 44 years ago. A repeat of the 5-3 thriller is unlikely, though, considering how conservative this World Cup has been.

Portugal shared the spoils with Cote d'Ivoire in a turgid opener where there was a grand total of three shots on target. The Europeans forced two of them with the only highlight of the match being Cristiano Ronaldo's long range piledriver that smacked the post. He hasn't scored for the Seleccao since his Manchester United days and with Deco having a bust up with manager Carlos Queiroz, a shock may just be possible.

North Korea showed impressive resolve against Brazil restricting them for 55 minutes and nabbing a late consolation goal. It was a disciplined performance and they will set out to frustrate their fancied opponents today in a similar fashion. Discard this team at your peril. We've seen far too many strange results in this World Cup to put the house on a Portugal win.


Portugal Tips
On the evidence of their first performance Portugal's odds are way too short at 1.35 to win the game. Take a look at the second half instead for value as Queiroz's side have scored five of their six goals in the second 45 minutes en route to warm up wins over Cameroon and Mozambique. A second half win is priced at 1.70. Cristiano Ronaldo is 3.50 to score first and 1.80 to be on the mark at anytime. His poor international goalscoring form has got to end sometime.

North Korea Tips
Jong Tae-Se, who looked threatening against Brazil, is 10.0 to score first and an excellent 3.75 to score at anytime. Considering how late they left it to score against Brazil DPR are worth a punt at 4.50 to score last.

Betting Verdict
Let's be clear - the favourites have not done the business in the World Cup. Bookmakers are cleaning up courtesy of Switzerland and New Zealand. Therefore I'm inclined to be conservative in this game and back another half-time draw which is better than even money at 2.19. 17 of the 29 games have been drawn at the break so far. Portugal are stronger in the second half but are struggling for goals and DPR will make life difficult for them. With that mind the best bets look like Portugal to win the second half at 1.70, under 2.5 goals at 1.60 and at a push North Korea at +1, +1.5 at 1.86.

Tread carefully as the favourites have been bitten far too often for comfort.

Match Odds: Portugal 1.35, Draw 4.60, North Korea 10.0