Portugal v Czech Republic: Back 7/1 Bruno Fernandes Bet Builder | OneFootball

I'm all over Bruno Fernandes like a rash in this game, so to speak.

Having seen him finish the season superbly at Manchester United and impress in the warm-up friendlies, I've backed him for player of the tournament and, frankly, it makes sense to back him in Portugal's opener too.

If the well-backed 2016 champions are to triumph again, Fernandes will surely have a major role to play, bringing the ball forward and feeding passes through for Cristiano Ronaldo and the rest of an excellent front line. Don't forget has crossing, shooting and set-piece ability too.

These are things he's been doing so well in recent times for his country.

He had eight assists in qualifying - the most of any player - and also bagged six goals.

In his last 13 internationals, he's now landed the 'to score or assist' bet in 10 of them, scoring nine times and assisting nine across those matches.

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OK, you can argue many of those games were against lesser opposition than this but the Czechs are no world beaters - they scored only 12 goals in qualifying, the joint-worst record of the teams who didn't have to play-off.

If Fernandes continues in his recent groove, he's capable of running this game and delivering either a goal or an assist, possibly both.

Leg 2: Bruno Fernandes 1+ shot on target

It's also worth adding the 29-year-old for a shot on target, something he's managed to do in nine of his last 10 international appearances.

That stat makes 8/131.61 look big.

He had 11 shots across Portugal's three recent warm-up games and so 2+ shots at shorter price of 1/21.50 is alternative option.

Leg 3: Bruno Fernandes to be fouled 2+ times

Finally, I feel there's some value in backing Fernandes to be fouled at least twice.

The bare numbers don't provide great support, although Fernandes has been fouled in seven of his last eight competitive internationals and did land this bet in two of his four appearances at the last World Cup.

This is more a bet based on what I've seen with my own eyes.

Fernandes was regularly driving through the midfield against Ireland last week and the Czechs will know he's a big threat here.

Notably, they have an enforcer in the shape of Tomas Soucek sitting at the base of their midfield and that's a battle I can see producing a foul or two.

Soucek has committed 2+ fouls in eight of his last 13 competitive games for his country and looks in for a tough night here.

It's not hard to envisage the Czechs having to resort to illegal tactics to stop Fernandes and therefore I'm happy to chance this at 2/13.00 which feels a little on the large side.

The three Fernandes legs combined produce a Bet Builder which pays just under 7/18.00.

More Portugal v Czech Rep: Read Mark O'Haire's in-depth preview!

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