Saturday is England’s best chance to beat Portugal in World Cup quarterfinals

Can Sven-Goran Eriksson finally get the better of ‘Big Phil’ Luis Felipe Scolari in England’s World Cup quarterfinal clash with Portugal on Saturday?

Scolari has stood in England’s way in the quarterfinals of their last two major tournaments – firstly with Brazil in the 2002 World Cup and then Portugal in the Euro 2004 championships.

And once again the tough-talking Brazilian will be out to stop Sven’s men from progressing beyond the last eight of the competition in Gelsenkirchen this weekend. But Eriksson will be desperate to have the last laugh and finally outshine the man who dramatically turned down the chance to replace him as England manager.

Going into the game, the odds would seem to favour England because although Portugal are probably the better footballing nation, they are beset with injury problems and suspensions.

And to compound Big Phil’s woes, the twinkle-toed, superbly skilled winger Cristiano Ronaldo is doubtful after being cynically taken out by Holland hardman Khalid Boulahrouz. Aside from the sideline duel between Eriksson and Scolari, there will be some titanic clashes all over the pitch which will go a long way to deciding the game’s outcome.

Luis Figo is back to his roving best and Owen Hargreaves will have his hands full trying to control the Portuguese skipper. England’s best player Steven Gerrard will go head-to-head with former Chelsea midfielder Maniche, with both players right on top of their game. Mercurial winger Joe Cole will find it hard to get any change out of right-back Miguel who did exceptionally well to subdue Arjen Robben last time out, while David Beckham will relish his tussle with Everton’s Nuno Valente.

Given Portugal’s problems England will never have a better chance of beating their opponents. And Eriksson will never have a better chance to finally break his Big Phil hoodoo and take the Three Lions into the semifinals of the World Cup for the first time since 1990.

So when Saturday comes, will it be ‘now or never’ for Sven’s men?

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