Written by @Wayde_D for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
USA vs Portugal | Sunday 22 June | Arena Amazonia, Manaus | 23:59
In their second match of the tournament, Portugal and USA meet in what is a huge fixture in the outcome of Group G after the Portuguese were annihilated by Germany. The USA got their revenge for their 2006 and 2010 World Cup exits after beating Ghana 2-1 on Monday night in their opening game on the strength of goals from Clint Dempsey and John Anthony Brooks. Portugal were hammered 4-0 by the dominant Germans.
To Win (90mins)
USA 36/10
Draw 5/2
Portugal 15/20
USA
After going 1-0 up in the first minute after Dempsey’s strike, the Americans conceded an equalizer in the 82nd minute against Ghana. Then, in a thrilling finish, the US found the winner in the 86th minute courtesy of a header from Brooks. United States head coach Jurgen Klinsmann can be given credit for a number of positives for the win over Ghana. The US were brilliant in defence for much of the 90 minutes, with the midfield working hard to get behind the ball. The fact that three players also were forced to leave the game with apparent muscle strains left much to question as well. Klinsmann pushed fitness in the USA’s World Cup preparation, but perhaps he overdid it, as Besler, Altidore and Bedoya all had to be pulled from the match due to non-contact injuries. USA’s strength in numbers is their main positive but they do have technically gifted players, most notably Clint Dempsey who is one of the country’s most distinguished players. The ex-Fulham star scored the fifth fastest goal in World Cup history against Ghana and will be a key player if the USA are to stand any chance of qualifying for the Round of 16. USA often make up for what they may lack in technical ability with cohesion and desire, and against an occasionally flaky Portugal, this could well be something to take into account.
Portugal
Germany mauled Portugal in their opening game, their opponents approaching the match with greater discipline and surety of execution. Cristiano Ronaldo threatened for Portugal early on, however once Mario Gotze was brought down for a penalty, the game was Germany’s. Much the same as when he won the Golden Boot in South Africa, Thomas Muller surprised everyone with a hat-trick in a game that was expected to be close. Portugal played more than fifty minutes with ten men following Pepe’s first-half dismissal for a headbutt on Muller. The Portuguese also lost full-back Fabio Coentrao and Hugo Almeida to injuries and must now hope to produce positive results to qualify from the group. Portugal’s fortunes will once again depend on the performance of Cristiano Ronaldo. He was relatively quiet against Germany and will be looking to try and prove his status as the best player in the world in their next two matches. Although Germany were always favourites to come out on top against Portugal, the manner in which Die Mannschaft were able to take Bento’s side apart will undoubtedly leave many wondering just where Ronaldo and Co will finish in the group. The nasty injury to Coentrao and the red card to Pepe will almost certainly destroy any hopes of a tight back line throughout the competition and when partnered with yet another abject performance from Ronaldo, one wonders if their start to this World Cup could have been any worse. With the USA up next and then a tricky final game against Ghana, we could well see the European side crash out of the tournament in the first round. No matter what happens in the next two games, the uphill struggle for Bento’s side starts here.
VERDICT: USA 36/10
USA have won their last two meetings against Portugal. The last victory was a 3-2 win in the 2002 World Cup in Japan. Portugal’s confidence will be down after their embarrassing defeat against Germany and if the US can get the first goal, they could just as well go on to claim maximum points.
