Thursday's Goalscorer Preview: Back Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani to be among the goals when Portugal face Czech Republic

Jun 21, 2012 10:05:00 AM

Michal Bilek's side produced a shock to make the last eight but Willie Duncan expects Cristiano Ronaldo to fire Paulo Bento's side into the semi-finals on Thursday night

Cristiano Ronaldo's Euro 2012 campaign finally came alive when the Portugal attacker bagged two goals as his side defeated Netherlands 2-1 to set up a quarter-final with Michal Bilek's Czech Republic.

Ronaldo will be hoping to find the net on Thursday and the Real Madrid man is chalked up at 100/30 (4.33) with Sportingbet to net in the quarter-final opener while you can get 11/10 (2.10) on the former Manchester United star to score at any time.

Portugal, though, cannot afford to rely too heavily on Ronaldo and will need big performances from those around him if they are to progress to the last four.

Helder Postiga has, largely, misfired in this tournament but the former Tottenham Hotspur striker grabbed a crucial goal in the 3-2 win over Denmark and is priced up at 11/2 (6.50) with Sportingbet to break Thursday's deadlock while the same firm go 19/10 (2.90) on Postiga to strike at any time in the 90 minutes.

One man, though, who is yet to make his mark on the tournament is Nani and he can be backed at a juicy 7/1 (8.0) with Sportingbet to score first with the same firm offering an attractive 5/2 (3.50) on the wideman netting at any time.

Michal Bilek's Czech Republic shocked many on Saturday when they overcame co-hosts Poland to book their place in the last eight of the tournament and they will be hoping that they can spring another surprise on Thursday.

Petr Jiracek and Vaclav Pilar have both scored twice for Czech Repubic thus far at this tournament and can be backed at 14/1 (15.0) and 10/1 (11.0) respectively with Sportingbet here. Jiracek is a 5/1 (6.0) chance to score at any time while the same firm go 7/2 (4.50) that Pilar adds to his tally at any time throughout the match.

This assignment, though, looks too tough for a limited Czech side and shrewd punters should back Ronaldo and Nani to fire Portugal into the last four with goals here.

BET

OF THE

DAY

BEST BET

VALUE BET

Cristiano Ronaldo to score first at 11/10 (2.10) with Sportingbet

Nani to score first at 7/1 (8.0) with Sportingbet

Sign up with Sportingbet now for a risk free 1st bet and double rewards points for winning 1st bets

Willie Duncan is a freelance sports journalist. Willie, from Edinburgh, has covered Scottish football for over 10 years and he specialises in football betting markets from across Europe. You can also follow Willie on Twitter

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