World Cup

Portugal vs Uruguay prediction

HINT: Portugal ODDS: 19/20 28 NOV @ 19:00
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Portugal can book their place in the second round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup with three points against Uruguay on Monday evening.

Fernando Santos’ side were 3-2 winners over Ghana in the first game, although it didn’t come easy. Both sides were 0-0 at half-time before Cristiano Ronaldo broke the deadlock midway through the second half with a debatable penalty that he won himself. They later led 3-1 but almost conceded a stoppage time equaliser but for Ghana striker Inaki Williams falling over with an open goal in front of him after taking the ball from the feet of goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

The European side shouldn’t be overlooked to go far in this competition. Ronaldo has now scored in the group stage of five different World Cups and will be keen to score in the knockout rounds for the first time, no doubt. The free agent has supply from two of the best playmakers in the world in Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes, whom are both goalscorers in their own right. Rafael Leao is an excellent option from the bench, as he showed by scoring within five minutes of being introduced on Thursday.

Defensively, Ruben Dias in an excellent centre-back. Their full-backs offer good support going forward too – Joao Cancelo and Raphael Guerreiro. The former wasn’t as flexible for his country as we’ve seen at club level with Manchester City though.

Uruguay looked dreadful in their opening 0-0 draw versus South Korea. Somewhat lucky not to lose, I cannot see the South Americans winning either of their remaining group games with a similar performance. And I expect Diego Alonso’s side to go down on Monday.

Luis Suarez didn’t look match fit and their seemed to be a lack of ideas going forward. Yes, they do have a goalscorer in 35-year-old Edinson Cavani, as well as Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez, but they don’t seem to be in cohesion. Defensively, the aging pair of Martin Caceres and Diego Godin on the right-hand side of their defence could be exposed by Portugal’s pace and movement in this game.

I am more confident in the bookmakers that Portugal win this and progress.

Best bet: Portugal to win is 19/20 with BetFred