World Cup 2018 Predictions Group B – Portugal

The 2018 World Cup is already fast upon us. After fundamentally proving their doubters wrong last time out at Euro 2016, perhaps Portugal will once again rise to the top with the dream of securing their first prestigious World Cup title in mind. 

 

Will Portugal win the 2018 World Cup?

Whilst this current crop of players by no means represent something of a vintage Portuguese outfit, their recent exploits at Euro 2016 must be taken into account when deciphering the team’s likelihood of winning the 2018 World Cup.

This time around however, they are likely to face much stiffer opposition. Portugal arguably possess  enough star quality within the ranks to really make a name for themselves this summer, but even with this in mind, their overall chances of landing that World Cup trophy remain somewhat slim in the eyes of most. In the football odds World Cup betting, Portugal are a big price – can they follow up their Euro 2016 win?

 

Who will be Portugal’s star man at the World Cup?

It’s easy to cast Cristiano Ronaldo as Portugal’s likely star-man at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but perhaps such a viewpoint is ultimately rather understandable. After all, would the current Real Madrid favourite ever allow one of his likeminded teammates to steal the limelight away from him?

Of course Ronaldo seems destined to shine for Portugal. His outstanding goal record simply speaks for itself. Whilst his mere personality alone is likely to overshadow many of his hardworking teammates, the 33-year-old front-man will be desperate to add another piece of silverware to his already well-stocked trophy cabinet in Russia this summer.

“In my mind, I’m always the best. I don’t care what the other people say, what the other people think.”
– Cristiano Ronaldo pic.twitter.com/SXa7pHnHGv

— TCR. (@TeamCRonaldo) February 9, 2018

The likes of Nani and Ricardo Quaresma often showcase their undoubted ability upon the international stage, yet neither player is likely to prove quite as big an influence as Cristiano Ronaldo.

Whilst Portugal are always in danger of representing something of a ‘one-man-team’ under such a set-up, expect the current Real Madrid favourite to find the net on multiple different occasions with Portugal throughout the upcoming tournament.

 

What are Portugal’s Group B fixtures?

Spain – Without wanting to cast Portugal’s tournament winning chances aside with immediate haste, it’s somewhat difficult to imagine Fernando Santos’ side coming out on top against the Spaniards. Spain simply possess a stronger squad with greater all-round balance. See our World Cup 2018 predictions for Spain.

Morocco – Portugal could possibly come unstuck against their African opposition in Group B. Unless Ronaldo truly shows up in his usual match-winning fashion, perhaps Morocco could frustrate the Portuguese with their pragmatic approach and defensive stability.

Iran – Although Iran will certainly give their all among the opening Group B fixtures, Portugal must be expecting to deal with them in relatively straightforward fashion. If not, Fernando Santos’ side can kiss their chances of making it all the way to the final well and truly goodbye.

 

Portugal’s World Cup Predictions

Portugal will likely advance to those all-important knock-out stages and score some well taken goals along the way, but with the likes of Spain, Germany, Brazil and Argentina all seeking to claim the 2018 World Cup trophy as their own, perhaps they will simply fall short right when it matters most.

If Cristiano Ronaldo fails to give an unrelentingly brilliant account of himself in Russia this summer, it seems unlikely that any of his Portuguese teammates will valiantly step up in his place, in an earnest attempt to secure that elusive ‘star-man’ status for themselves.

 

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