ENGLAND are 8/11 to qualify for the semi-finals of the World Cup, according to bookmakers Ladbrokes.

The Three Lions will face Portugal for the first time since being put out by Luiz Felipe Scolari's side in Euro 2004.

His team ended Holland's hopes thanks to a goal from Maniche in bad-tempered affair in Nuremburg.

But they will be without defender Costinha and influential midfielder Deco following their red cards against the Dutch.

And they may have to face Sven's men without Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo who limped off with a thigh injury.

Ladbrokes make Portugal even money to progress and they are now 11/1 from 25/1 to win the tournament.

Spokesman Robin Hutchison said: "England will hope to put Euro 2004 behind them and reflect on their earlier record against the Portugese.

"They've beaten them nine times in comparison to their three victories and twice in their last two World Cup meetings. But they'll have to do an awful lot better than they did against Ecuador.

"Portugal's result was another poor one for us after England's earlier victory. I'm hoping we'll be able to offer odds on the final but we may be in the poor house by then."

LATEST BETTING

To qualify for the semi-finals

England 8/11
Portugal Evs

World Cup 2006

Brazil 11/4
Argentina 3/1
Germany 5/1
England 5/1
Italy 8/1
Spain 10/1
Portugal 11/1
France 16/1
Ghana 50/1
Switzerland 66/1
Australia 80/1
Ukraine 80/1