Ivory Coast and Portugal Are in a Tight Battle in Group G

Can Portugal’s defense pull it through or will an Ivory Coast goal rush prove the difference in the battle for second place in Group G? Al says it’s going to be close.

Not the Group of Death
When the draw for the World Cup was made Group G was immediately pointed to as the group of death but the rosters don’t merit such acclaim. While Group D possesses four teams that could make the knockout stages out of any group, the way Portugal and Ivory Coast play this is one of the few groups where either should be favored to progress. There’s no doubt about the leader of the pack. In Luis Fabiano Brazil has the most effective finisher in the world today and he’s worthy of World Cup betting interest at +1200 to finish as top scorer. Added to that is a sturdy defence which can work with midfield and attack to dominate opponents at will.

The big clash
The opening game of the group between Ivory Coast and Portugal will go a long way towards determining who joins Brazil in the knockout rounds of the 2010 World Cup. Portugal’s problems in front of goal are well documented. While Ivory Coast has far from the most decorated defense, it will still prove difficult for a team which failed to score against Cape Verde Islands and recorded three 0-0 draws in the qualifiers.

That said for all of Ivory Coast’s attacking prowess, the lack of width coupled with little support coming from the full backs gives little cause to believe they can overcome the impressive Portuguese defense. These are two average teams with a couple of above average players and the race for second could involve a goal chase against North Korea for both sides.

The final shake-up
Brazil will dominate from the start and should win all three games. North Korea, as outsiders, could play a spoiler role by taking a point or losing only narrowly to Portugal or Ivory Coast. This will put added importance on that opening game of the group. For all the attacking talent of Didier Drogba, he won’t have the same quality supply line he enjoys at Chelsea. That could prove telling as it should be enough for Portugal to stifle the striker.

I like Portugal to sneak a goal and take a win from that opening game with Ivory Coast. They will need it however as any other result makes Ivory Coast overwhelming favorites for second place. Even a draw would give Ivory Coast the option of trying to force a draw from Brazil before going on a goal chase against a North Korean defense which is organized but not prepared for the dual threat of Drogba and Salomon Kalou. Portugal won’t be able to match Ivory Coast’s goal haul so the group opener will need to be treated as a win or go home game. Portugal will win it, it won’t be pretty, and will join Brazil in the knockout stages of the World Cup.

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