Put your trust in Portugal to overturn poor form and get back to winning ways

It may seem unusual to brand a friendly a must win match, but for Portugal on Saturday that is exactly what it is.

After an unconvincing display against Macedonia last weekend, the fans expect a performance and will accept nothing less than a victory.

This sounds extremely exaggerated, but with the Leiria crowd jeering the Portuguese players following the dull 0-0 stalemate, it is important to get the supporters back on side before they travel to the European Championships.

Entering a major competition on the back of positive performances and results is always a bonus, but with the perilous task awaiting Portugal in trying to manufacture a way out of the group of death I would say it was imperative.

Even if Paulo Bento does not express it to his players, deep down they will know that success over Turkey on Saturday is a must, not only to prevent alienating the fans further, but for a huge morale boost before the clashes with heavyweights Germany and Holland, and their conquerors in the race for automatic qualification Denmark.

A lack of goals has been a real issue of late and an improvement on recent form is a must for the Selecção following two successive 0-0 draws in international friendlies. A third consecutive draw in Estádio da Luz is available at odds of 31/10 and for punters who fancy a bet on another goalless affair, 33/4 are the odds on offer with bwin.

This sounds extremely exaggerated, but with the Leiria crowd jeering the Portuguese players following the dull 0-0 stalemate, it is important to get the supporters back on side before they travel to the European Championships.

If a 0-0 at full time does not appeal, then surely a flutter on just a goalless first half is the way forward. On top of the two recent international friendlies that ended 0-0, the first leg of the play-off against Bosnia also finished the same way. Turkey’s tie with Austria in their final away game in group A of the European qualifying campaign was also a bore draw so both teams have previous when it comes to goalless stalemates.

Bwin has the half time result of 0-0 priced at 21/10 and new customers who place their free £25 bet for joining bwin on Portugal and Turkey to be level at half time without either side finding the back of the net would receive £77.50 if successful.

As Portugal were qualifying for Euro 2012 through the play-offs, their weekend opponents were being dumped out at the final hurdle by Croatia. Turkey were defeated 3-0 on aggregate and as a result will spend the summer wondering what might have been.

A fixture against the Turkish national side is never an easy one and despite Abdullah Avcı’s side seemingly having nothing to play for, Portugal will be fully aware that their opponents will not simply roll over and allow Ronaldo and co to put them to the sword.

The last fixture between the two sides was in fact the opening game at the group stages of the European Championships in 2008, and Portugal came out on top 2-0 thanks to goals from Pepe and Raul Meireles.

In the seven meetings between the two, Portugal have claimed six victories with the solitary Turkey success coming in their first ever contest way back in 1955.

Another 2-0 result in favour of the Portuguese side is available at odds of 23/4.

Fortunately for Bento’s men, Turkey have not been in the best of form since the play-off defeat to Croatia, and after losses against Slovakia and Finland bwin has them priced as 21/4 outsiders to win this international friendly.

A victory over Bulgaria in a midweek fixture proves that Turkey cannot be taken lightly though. Nonetheless, although it is a tricky tie, the fact that a win is so vital to all involved with the Portuguese national side means it is hard to look past a home victory.

As such, take the 5/2 on offer for Portugal to win a game with under 2.5 goals.

Recommended bet: Portugal to win with under 2.5 goals

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