Portugal
Improvements are required for Portugal as it begins its knockout stage adventure against Croatia in the round of 32 on Thursday.
Uzbekistan is the only team Portugal has conquered to date, Cristiano Ronaldo starring in an emphatic 5–0 triumph. While it remains unbeaten, stalemates with DR Congo and Colombia have left much to be desired and resulted in a second-place finish in Group K.
Failing to wrap up the top spot has made life tougher forPortugal for its first knockout game. Instead of facing Ghana—the side Colombia will come up against—a battle with the 2018 runners-up and 2022 semifinalists awaits.
Injuries & Team News
Roberto Martinez has defended his choice to continually stick by Cristiano Ronaldo and the Al Nassr captain is again expected to start up front, regardless of how peripheral he does appear to be on the pitch when Portugal attack against reasonable opposition.
Joao Neves was rested against Colombia but he is expected to replace Ruben Neves this time around. Joao Felix appears to still be ahead of Rafael Leao, while Ruben Dias could partner Renato Veiga despite Tomas Araujo returning from injury.
Form
| Last Match | Last 6 Matches |
|---|---|
| 0-0 Colombia | W W W D W D |
Predicted Line-Up
Predicted XI (4-3-3):
Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Fernandes; Neto, Ronaldo, Felix
Croatia
Croatia’s experience and work ethic ensures it’s always an awkward opponent, and confidence has been restored within Zlatko Dalić’s dressing room following successive victories—the perfect response to an opening defeat to England.
The Checkered Ones will fancy their chances of once again upsetting the odds, an ability they have mastered over the past decade. However, Portugal knows victory is the most probable outcome if it can reach its usual standards in Toronto.
Injuries & Team News
Having begun with a back three against England, Zlatko Dalic has since reverted to a 4-2-3-1 system and that has got the very best out of exciting Como attacking midfielder Martin Baturina, able to float across the pitch, who is again expected to be in behind Osasuna striker Ante Budimir.
Form
| Last Match | Last 6 Matches |
|---|---|
| 2-1 vs Ghana | L L W L W W |
Predicted Line-Up
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1):
Livakovic; Stanisic, Sutalo, Pongracic, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Modric; Vlasic, P. Sucic, Baturina; Budimir
Betting Odds
| Team | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal Win | 8/11 – (1.73) | Grand Ivy |
| Draw | 29/10 – (3.90) | Dream Vegas |
| Croatia Win | 4/1 – (5.00) | 247Bet |
Prediction
Portugal 1-1 (p) Croatia
Both of these teams are not at their best and its hard to get an accurate angle as both have ben inconsistent so far. I just can’t trust Portugal to back them, they have so much talent but so often under perform and its a brave man to back against Croatia at a world cup. Croatia on Pens