Portugal - 1st, Group D
Group Statistics: W3 D0 L0 F5 A1 Pts9
Second Round: Portugal 1-0 Holland
Quarter Final: England 0-0 Portugal (Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
Top Scorers: Nuno Maniche, 2 (33% of Portugal's goals)
Clean Sheets: 4
Failed to Score: 1
Best World Cup record: Third place, 1966
2002 World Cup Record: Failed to qualify for Second Round, finishing third in Group D
Overall World Cup statistics: World Cups, 4 P17 W12 D0 L5 F31 A17 Interesting Stat: Deco and Francisco Costinha have been the second most indiciplined players in this World Cup after Ghana's Asamoah Gyan. Portugal are also bottom of the fairplay league, with eighteen yellows and four red cards in the tournament so far.
France - 2nd Group G
Group Statistics: W1 D2 L0 F3 A1 Pts5
Second Round: Spain 1-3 France
Quarter Final: Brazil 0-1 France
Top Scorers: Thierry Henry 3 (43% of France's goals each)
Clean Sheets: 3
Failed to Score: 1
Best World Cup record: Won once, 1998
2002 World Cup Record: Knocked out in group stage
Overall World Cup statistics: World Cups 12, P49 W26 D6 L17 F93 A63
Interesting Stat: France have committed less fouls than only Ghana, Ukraine, Australia and Argentina in this competition so far. They have also suffered more fouls than any other team excepting Italy and Argentina.
Match Preview
Introduction
Portugal versus France makes up the second all European semi-final of this World Cup and both sides will fancy their chances of progressing to the Final.
Both sides had confidence boosting victories at the weekend. France beat holders Brazil in imperious fashion, a stunning strike from in-form striker Thierry Henry settling the contest.
Portugal came through a gruelling tie against England on penalties and will feel that with their midfield back to full strength following the suspensions of Deco and Francisco Costinha they have a strong chance of beating a classy French outfit.
France have the advantage in previous meetings, having won fifteen of the twenty-one encounters between the two sides. The two have only met twice in a competitive tournament and on both occassions France have been successful - winning 3-2 in 1984 and 2-1 at Euro 2000. Both matches went to extra-time however suggesting that matches between the two are traditionally close.
With quality players on both sides, expect nothing different today. France will be hoping to show the World that the unfair comments directed at them about being too old will come back to haunt them.
Portugal meanwhile are a young side in comparison and as a nation they have always flattered to deceive in major tournaments. This is only their fourth World Cup but qualifying for the Final of Euro 2004 clearly shows a determination to succeed that is at the root of their national character. They will do anything to succeed and the French must watch out for their cunning skills.
FRANCE v PORTUGAL INDEX INCULDING THE OTHER PARTS OF THIS PREVIEW
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PORTUGAL v FRANCE - ANOTHER CLASSIC NO-LOSE BET
For yesterday's Germany v Italy arbitrage preview, we guaranteed you a withdrawable cash profit, whatever the outcome of the match and it worked like a dream.
The maximum profit was realised with the draw at ninety minutes and the intention was to repeat the formula today, however, the bet was so good that one of the bookies got on our case and asked us to pull it or they would stop doing business with us.
We take a very dim view of that action and in no way will it stop us doing arbitrage as this site was set up to advise our readers how to profit from the bookies. If they don't like it, they are in the wrong business.
So here's our France v Portugal arbitrage preview and it's a little bit different as we only need to back two possible outcomes to guarantee a withdrawable cash profit, whatever the outcome of the match.
The whole system hinges on the bonuses that you get from our two chosen bookies so you can't do this if you already have an account at either firm. If that is the case, let us know and we'll try to find you an alternative bookie.
Here we go then. Follow these simple instructions for a guaranteed cash profit on France v Portugal.
1. Open Your New Accounts
Open an account with
Open an account with Extrabet
You have temporarily laid out a total of £137. I stress temporarily...
2. Place Your Bets
Back Portugal to qualify at 11/4 with £37 with
Make sure you back them to qualify and not to win in ninety minutes. Portugal v France is on the front page of the site. On the right there is a button called 'More Bets'. Hover over it and a pop up will appear. The first link is the one we want, 'to qualify'.
Back France @ 1/2 with £100 Extrabet
Again, make sure you back them to qualify and not to win in ninety minutes. Go to 'Football' (top left hand link) and hit 'To Reach Final' (second link under World Cup).
3. Collect Your Winnings
If Portugal qualify for the final, you will collect £138.75 from
If France qualify for the final, you will collect £150 from Extrabet
As you will have noticed, you will make a profit on the match, whoever qualifies but here comes the best bit...
4. Collect Your Bonuses
If Portugal qualify for the final you will collect an extra £100 bonus from
If France qualify for the final win, you will collect an extra £12.50 bonus from Extrabet
5. The Summary
You are about to lay out £137 for the duration of the match and at the final whistle you will end up with a profit of either £1.75 or £13.
You will then collect a bonus of either £100 or £12.50 making the very worst case scenario a £25.50 cash profit on the whole deal, if France make it to the final.
However, if Portugal prevail you will make a clear £101.75 profit.
There are no free bets involved in this bet. Everything that you make will be clear cash profit and is withdrawable as soon as it hits your account.
Too good to be true? Well here's the catch for you. If you follow the instructions to the letter and it doesn't happen like we say it will, then we will refund any losses that you make. No strings, no catches, just a straight refund of your losses if you don't make what we say you will make.
As with any offer, there are obviously terms and conditions attached, available on the relevant sites. There is nothing unusual about the t's & c's from our chosen three companies but you should have a read anyway.
If you already have one or more accounts with our chosen bookies, you won't be able to qualify for the bonuses, which is what this whole thing hinges on. But don't worry. Just drop us a quick email and we will try to find you an alternative bookie.
Finally, the odds can change and even though this is rare, you should check them before placing your bets.
Don't forget that if this doesn't work for you, we will refund any losses that you make, provided that you follow the instructions to the letter and are not already an existing account holder at either of the bookies that we have chosen.
Please feel free to mail us with any questions that you may have. We'll get back to you well before the match.
Steve Goldby
NB: YOU MUST CLICK ON THE BANNERS OR LINKS ON THIS PAGE TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE REFUND GUARANTEE.
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