Predictions for POR/ENG

[USsupport]

I'm going with 3-1 or 4-1 to Eng, all depends how much time is left after it's 3-1.

Scorers? I could give a toss, but I'd like to see Owen get at least one.

[usscouse]

Predictions for this match...are you out of your mind.....:cool:

Depends on which teams walk out on the pitch. And I don't mean just in name.

[Mikey10]

Portugal 2 England 0

I can't see us winning this game to be honest.

[USsupport]

Predictions for this match...are you out of your mind.....:cool:



it's no fun calling out the score afterwards. you have to have a sense based on what you've seen already from these two teams.

[thegaffer7]

Portugal 2 England 0

I can't see us winning this game to be honest.

why not??? obviously both teams will have a chance of winning this game, it looks like a pretty even sided match especially with the form we are in right now..

[um_chili]

I posted this on the Portugal board but there's not much going on over there, so here's my take:

GK: Neither Ricardo nor James have been impressive. I can't even recall a difficult save that Ricardo's had to make; the only goal that he might be blamed for is the first one against Greece, but that wasn't so much his fault. He did look bad a couple times in the second half against Spain; crossbar bailed him out once, Ricardo Carvalho did the other time. On the other hand, James has looked worse. The penalty agaisnt France was poor, and he's looked adequate at best in the subsequent games when tested. Bottom line, James has let in four goals to Ricardo's one. Advantage: Portugal.

Defense: Portugal's has looked progressively better, England's progressively weaker. I thought England's D looked excellent against France, fine against Switz, and shaky against Croatia. Portugal's D was an utter disaster v. Greece, shaky but better v. Russia, and pretty solid against Spain, despite some moments of near-breakdown. Portugal has the edge in individual talent while England tends to play better as a unit. Advantage: none--too close to call.

Midfield: Both sides have a galactico not playing to his potential (Becks, Figo) and a rising star just hitting his prime (Lampard, Deco). Considering that Portugal can also add in the brilliance of C. Ronaldo here, I think their superior ball control skills give them a slight edge. Advantage: Portugal.

Forwards: This is one area where there is a true gap between the teams. England has Rooney who is the best striker in the tournament so far, with the goalscoring threat of Scholes and the concern that Owen could always get back into form and be deadly. Portugal? Pauleta and Simao have been useless, Nuno Gomes has been good but not great. Advantage: England, clearly.

So it's close on all these fronts, but the one that concerns me most as a Portugal fan is that England is taking their chances well and scoring tons of goals, while Portugal is playing well to the edge of the area, and then--zip. If you got points for dribbling, I'd feel differently, but given the respective form of the teams, I foresee an evenly played game where England's on-form strikers make the difference in their favor. That said, I'll be supporting Portugal of course and think they could well pull it off if they put in an impassioned performance as against Spain and if Nuno Gomes can put a couple in the back of the net. It should be an entertaining match.

---One footnote: I expected the England fans to be full of boastful confidence. Strange how both sides seem to be taking a cagey, even pessimistic approach.

[slb4life]

costinha,ricardo carvalho,jorge andreda will take care of owen,rooney and scholes.neville&beckham,cole&scholes will not stop c ronaldo&valente,figo&miguel and deco will work magic. portugal-england 2-0

[thegaffer7]

I posted this on the Portugal board but there's not much going on over there, so here's my take:

GK: Neither Ricardo nor James have been impressive. I can't even recall a difficult save that Ricardo's had to make; the only goal that he might be blamed for is the first one against Greece, but that wasn't so much his fault. He did look bad a couple times in the second half against Spain; crossbar bailed him out once, Ricardo Carvalho did the other time. On the other hand, James has looked worse. The penalty agaisnt France was poor, and he's looked adequate at best in the subsequent games when tested. Bottom line, James has let in four goals to Ricardo's one. Advantage: Portugal.

Defense: Portugal's has looked progressively better, England's progressively weaker. I thought England's D looked excellent against France, fine against Switz, and shaky against Croatia. Portugal's D was an utter disaster v. Greece, shaky but better v. Russia, and pretty solid against Spain, despite some moments of near-breakdown. Portugal has the edge in individual talent while England tends to play better as a unit. Advantage: none--too close to call.

Midfield: Both sides have a galactico not playing to his potential (Becks, Figo) and a rising star just hitting his prime (Lampard, Deco). Considering that Portugal can also add in the brilliance of C. Ronaldo here, I think their superior ball control skills give them a slight edge. Advantage: Portugal.

Forwards: This is one area where there is a true gap between the teams. England has Rooney who is the best striker in the tournament so far, with the goalscoring threat of Scholes and the concern that Owen could always get back into form and be deadly. Portugal? Pauleta and Simao have been useless, Nuno Gomes has been good but not great. Advantage: England, clearly.

So it's close on all these fronts, but the one that concerns me most as a Portugal fan is that England is taking their chances well and scoring tons of goals, while Portugal is playing well to the edge of the area, and then--zip. If you got points for dribbling, I'd feel differently, but given the respective form of the teams, I foresee an evenly played game where England's on-form strikers make the difference in their favor. That said, I'll be supporting Portugal of course and think they could well pull it off if they put in an impassioned performance as against Spain and if Nuno Gomes can put a couple in the back of the net. It should be an entertaining match.

---One footnote: I expected the England fans to be full of boastful confidence. Strange how both sides seem to be taking a cagey, even pessimistic approach.

great analysis of the upcoming match...i feel that the match will be won at the wings...figo and ronaldo are very dangerous with the ball at the feet..they also often switch sides during the game so both will have a go at gary neville and ashley cole..i feel ronaldo to be more dangerous because of his numerous stepovers and blistering pace..in saying this, i feel that cole might have a difficult night if scholesy or whoever playing the wide position for england does not track back to give cole help...whoever says that ronaldo should stay left and "skin" neville is absolute crap..he is the most experience defender out of the back 4 not to mention a teammate of ronaldo..another point must be made about deco..he is a great player who can open up the field for portugal..i feel if we can shut him down with gerrard or lamps coming back, shutting down the wingers, and of course not conceding any fk's around the 18'...england should win the match.. i feel that nuno gomes/pauleta wont be a factor tomorrow night because simply he will be the lone striker with no one to play with..GO ON LADS GET STUCK IN!!!!

[phishy]

I liken a 2-1 scoreline with.. ya thats right... MICHAEL OWEN bags the winner early in the second half... should be a fantastic atmosphere for this one~

[usscouse]

----One footnote: I expected the England fans to be full of boastful confidence. Strange how both sides seem to be taking a cagey, even pessimistic approach.I'm not pessimistic, I'm cautiously optimistic but strange things happen on the pitch.

Great run down on upcoming match though. Remember England knows how Ronaldo (Who I hear was seen practicing stepovers in the Supermarket) plays. Neville saying "I'm scared of Ronaldo"....means a stretcher... :cool:
Remember the Zizu and Henry hype?

And do not count Owen out...!

[Prenn]

I don't want to think about it, both teams are too similar. I do think it'll be the best quarterfinal, especially if either team scores early on.

[its called football]

Figo and Ronaldo are quality. But for me Cole and Neville have been two of Englands best players so far, and Becks less impressive attacking performance, though he has still been good) is in part due to the defensive discipline he has shown. I also think that to suggets ENgland have a weaker midfield is very odd, as it caught fire against Croatia and has shown its capabilities. I'm nervous, but not scared England should win, but then, we are England.
Anyone for Penalties?

[Pazarius]

I'm staying on the fence on this one. Both teams are capable of great play but have been very inconsistent so far. It should be close, unless either team doesn't really turn up and gets thrashed.

[(TxT)]

England 2-0 Portugal

Beckham
Rooney

[Paddster]

I think this could be a silver goal winner for Portugal. 2-1

[RichardL]

Tomorrow is the big day.
Tomorrow is the day when the dreaming can start. Yes, there's no doubt about tomorrow's big excitement - the football league fixtures for 2004/5 come out!

[RobB]

It could be penalties. All our players are bad penalty takers except Lampard, who is supposed to be a specialist. I`ll go for 2-2 with Portugal to win on Pens. If England score early though, 3 or 4-2 to England.

[Milos]

It will be close but I do see us winning the game. If its a draw then for the last five minutes we should bring Phil Neville on because there is no way he would give away a last minute penalty :D

[ALBU]

A lot of talk concerning Ronaldo v. Rooney; two completely different players, which makes it very difficult to compare.

More appropriately, in my opinion, how about James v. Ricardo? Who will be the goat - as neither are playing well and specifically confidence in Ricardo among Portuguese supporters is quite low.


ALBU

[DixieDean]

I don't really have a score in mind, but having watched Portugal a few times they don't seem to cope very well with early pressure. If England get their attack going early on, it could be their day.