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Czech Rep v Portugal: Ronaldo can make difference in last eight

| 21.06.2012

As longshots to make it to this stage, Czech Republic took many by surprise by winning Group A, but may now have their work cut out at 9/2 to beat Portugal tonight.

The Czechs are 2/1 to qualify by any means, and reach their first semi-final in a major tournament since Euro 2004, ironically held in Portugal.

It is 12/5 about the draw in normal time meanwhile, and Paulo Bento’s Portugal side are clear 4/11 favourites to advance to the semi-final outright.

They can be backed at 3/4 to win in normal time, and bearing in mind their performance in their final group outing with Holland, look well worth investment at that price.

Portugal turned in easily their finest display of the tournament in that match, as, inspired by captain Cristiano Ronaldo, they went on to claim their first victory at Euro 2012, via a 2-1 scoreline.

Punters can take on 8/1 odds about another 2-1 Portuguese success here, or can be backed at a longer 14/1 to win 3-1, as they did when the nations last met back at Euro 2004.

Ronaldo lined up in that match eight years ago, and his goal in that match, coupled with the brace he hit in Portugal’s last outing, makes him look an appealing prospect at 15/8 to score in a Portugal win tonight.

Indeed, Ronaldo’s double against the Netherlands has propelled him into contention for the tournament’s Golden Boot award, and he is a clear 7/2 favourite to open the scoring.

With the responsibility of free-kicks and penalties attributed solely to the Real Madrid star too, he may be worth a punt at 16/1 to hit a hat-trick in this game, and thus as a 6/4 shot to claim his second consecutive man-of-the-match award.

You can also get 4/1 about Ronaldo scoring in a Portugal win featuring three or more goals, which looks a very tempting price.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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Author

John Klee