Portugal are available at 6/5 to score in both halves in Blue Square’s team specials market.

It’s round two in the “Group of death” on Monday afternoon as Portugal face North Korea in a crucial match in Cape Town.

Portugal were held to a goalless draw by the Ivory Coast in a disappointing opener, and will be looking for a confidence-boosting victory here with Brazil still to come in their final game. North Korea put in a determined display against Brazil, coming away with a narrow 2-1 defeat.

The match odds have shifted somewhat as a result of last week’s games, with Portugal 1/3 to win it, North Korea at 8/1, and the draw available at 7/2.

The Portuguese will have had this one marked down as the “banker” of their three fixtures in the so-called group of death, but could have a different view after their tepid performance against Ivory Coast and North Korea’s impressive showing against Brazil.

While Sven Goran-Ericsson clearly set up his Ivory Coast side to frustrate Portugal, they were surprisingly lacking in ideas, especially in the final third. They simply can’t afford to be so cautious here in what is looking like a must-win game, and are available at 6/5 to score in both halves.

Jong Tae-Se’s tears at the Korean national anthem showed what it means for North Korea to be at these finals, but their resolute performance suggests they are not here to make up the numbers in this group. They comfortably kept the likes of Robinho and Kaka at bay for an hour, and even managed to carve out a few opportunities of their own.

Jong Tae-Se led the line well for the Koreans, but the occasion clearly got the better of him with a few wild efforts from distance. North Korea can be backed at 5/1 to keep a clean sheet in this one and 16/1 to win to nil.

Jong Tae-Se is the subject of Blue Square’s player specials, where he is available at 7/2 to score at anytime and 20/1 to score from outside the box.

Portugal have conceded just two goals in their last 10 internationals, and have kept a clean sheet in 78% of matches played under Carlos Queiroz. Blue Square offer 7/10 about ‘Under 2.5 goals’ in this one, with ‘0 or 1 goals’ available at 2/1.

Our player specials market focuses on midfield playmakers Cristiano Ronaldo and Deco, and include 9/2 Ronaldo to score from outside the box, 7/1 Ronaldo to score in both halves and 9/1 Deco to score first for Portugal.

Kick off 12.30 BST, live on BBC One and bbc.co.uk.