World Cup 2010: Portugal v Brazil First Goalscorer Betting Preview

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - World Cup favourites Brazil look a tempting bet to beat Portugal in this afternoon`s glamour tie, but punters may want to hold fire given that the Portuguese have kept ten clean sheets in their last 11 matches. Portugal v Brazil had looked like a group stage match to savour, but given that Portugal are effectively through, both teams will probably settle for a point.

There are grounds to be optimistic ahead of the Group G decider however, because it is in the teams` best interests to top the group. Both teams have dazzled fans with their attacking football and Portugal know that it will take a miracle for Ivory Coast to qualify ahead of them.

If Brazil do not tempt you at odds of 7/5 (bet £50 to win £70 profit) to win the match with Stan James, then it may be easier to find a good bet in the first goalscorer market.

Brazil`s Luis Fabiano is the 11/2 favourite with Boylesports and Sky Bet to open the scoring, but prior the Ivory Coast match he had not scored in his last six internationals. It may be that his confidence-boosting double helps him mount a challenge in the Golden Boot market, and it is significant that he scored his first international hat-trick against Portugal (6-2) when the two sides met in November 2008.

Luis Fabiano would be a terrible result for the bookmakers, who are hoping that an outsider can cause a surprise in the betting. Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo has also been a popular selection in the first goalscorer betting, and he is now just 6/1 with Paddy Power. He answered his critics by finally ending his barren run in front of goal against North Korea, and his form will determine whether Portugal have an outside chance of winning the World Cup at 20/1.

Kaka is suspended for the match after picking up a scandalous red card against the Elephants, which means that Robinho could be a tempting bet at 8/1 with William Hill. He has scored 23 goals for his country in 77 appearances, but he has been playing a creative role for the Samba Stars, rather than a goal-scoring one.

Julio Baptista could start in Kaka`s absence, and he is 12/1 with Blue Square to be the first player to find the net in Durban. Another threat for Brazil could be Daniel Alves, who is 25/1 with Sky Bet. As for the defenders, Maicon is also 25/1 to open the scoring again, and left back Michel Bastos makes plenty of appeal at 20/1.

Portugal are not expected to be the first team to score, but Liédson is a 9/1 chance with Ladbrokes. He may be dropped for Hugo Almeida, who is generally available to back at 7/1.

Simão is 12/1 with Betfred and Raul Meireles is at 18/1 with Paddy Power. Tiago looks good value for his odds of 22/1, and `no goalscorer` is 7/1.

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