THE shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo looms large over Portugal but they're not a one-man team.
Ronaldo will be supported by the likes of Joao Moutinho, Pepe and veterans Nani and Ricardo Quaresma while keeper Rui Patricio is a class act.
As the Group F action finally gets under way today I'm taking the Portuguese to edge out debutants Iceland.
Many sides struggled in pre-tournament friendlies but Portugal boosted confidence by hitting Estonia for seven.
Ronaldo grabbed a hat-trick but Quaresma was brilliant too, scoring two stunners and being involved in four others.
Loads of punters will be on Ronaldo to score first at 13-2 with McBookie but a punt on Quaresma at 11-4 with bet365 to score might not be daft. Ronaldo is 19-20 with 888sport to net at any time.
Portugal are 8-13 at boylesports to win with Iceland 7-1 at Ladbrokes and the draw paying 3-1 at McBookie.
Iceland have decent players such as Gylfi Sigurdsson and Alfred Finnbogason but lack the class to hurt a Portugal side who could go far in the tournament. Sigurdsson is 5-1 at Ladbrokes to net.
Sigurdsson will provide a threat from set-pieces and both teams to score at 16-11 with 888sport has a chance although nine of Portugal's last 12 have gone under 2.5 goals. Eight of Iceland's last 12 have gone over – including their last five – and I'd favour goals.
188BET will refund losing bets up to £25 per customer as a free bet on losing match bets as well as first or anytime scorer, correct score, both teams to score and HT/FT markets if Ronaldo nets first.
Bets to Consider
Portugal & Btts
Ronaldo to score first
Quaresma to score
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
mr f i have done quaresma to score 1st 8/1
score 1st for portugal 7/2
ats 3/1
after what he won me other night worth giving him another go .
Portugal certainly no bankers but I’ll do the PP offer with a free fiver for each gl scored. £20 stakes. Remember Iceland shouldve topped their group and beat Holland home and away
Thinking of doing a tenner on btts and over 2.5 goals on Portugal game. Returns over 30 quid. Think this has a great chance. Anyone see wht not?
frasar, could come in but only 2 games so far have gone over 2.5 goals.
Thanks Mr Fixit. Didn’t think you would see this. Was lucky today with a treble. So think I will go for it. Was going to do 5 on btts and over 2.5and 5 on over 3 goals in match. I really think and hope there will be a lot of goals. Ice land can and do score loads and Portugal should get at least 2 so worth a shot.
Id be amazed if Portugal failed to score at least two goals.
Quaresma is likely missing this game with an injury.
PORTUGAL VS ICELAND GOALSCORER TIP
For me it’s all about Christiano Ronaldo I’d be very surprised if he doesn’t get himself on the goal sheet tonight. Ronaldo is a decent price at almost evs to score in 90 mins but I’ve managed to find a selection which offers much more bang for your buck. Christiano Ronaldo is 8/1 to score anytime from outside the box and William hill are only offering 19/5 for the same bet. I thought 8/1 was a decent price and when I went to place the bet I was delighted to see that they have enhanced the price to 11/1 with no stake limit. 11/1 is a huge price and has every chance of coming up.
Recommended Bet
CHRISTIANO RONALDO TO SCORE ANYTIME FROM OUTSIDE THE BOX @ 11/1 (Skybet)
Good luck everyone