Uruguay V Portugal Predictions & Betting Odds

Uruguay v Portugal Betting Preview – World Cup 2018 30th June – 7.00 p.m

This will probably be a tight clash between these two, who both know how to dig in defensively. Uruguay convincingly won Group A with three wins from three and they will be going as favourites for this round of sixteen tie. Portugal almost saw themselves spring a surprise in beating Spain to the top of their group but were denied at the death. Our predictions for the Uruguay v Portugal match expects a close game to unfold in Sochi.

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Uruguay News and Form

Uruguay piled their way through to the knockout stages of the 2018 World Cup after having won all three of their group stage games. They didn’t look great in narrow wins over Egypt and Saudi Arabia though it has to be said, but they looked more like the big dark horse threat that they are as they hammered host nation Russia 3-0 in their final group stage match, which was a group decider. In the bet365 correct score market a Uruguay 1-0 option is at 6/1 odds* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on June 27th, 2018 at 5:52 p.m.) and that is a strong Uruguay v Portugal prediction that we are putting out there. That was the scoreline by which they won their opening two games. This isn’t likely to be an open game as Portugal will not play an expansive game and it will be down to the South Americans to do most of the pressing here. Fortunately, they have players up front who can handle the job of trying to make a breakthrough.

Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez combined are far more of a potent attacking force than anything Portugal have. They both scored in their win over Russia and Suarez has netted in each of his last two (both opening goals). Suarez is the 4/1 first goalscorer favourite* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on June 27th, 2018 at 5:52 p.m.) for this round of sixteen tie. Uruguay are a side in form as La Celeste have won each of their last six games now and they haven’t shipped a single goal in that sequence either. They were always likely to be a tough side to break down at this World Cup and that will cause a limited Portugal attack huge problems. Uruguay To Win To Nil returns 3/1 odds* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on June 27th, 2018 at 5:52 p.m.).

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Portugal News and Form

The Portuguese were pushed in Group B. They produced a good first half against Spain in their opener but ended up needing to find an equaliser for a 3-3 draw. Cristiano Ronaldo inevitably delivered that equalizer and he has scored four of their five goals at this tournament so far. Then Portugal had their backs against the wall in a 1-0 win over Morocco but were second best for the bulk of the 90 minutes. They didn’t have the easiest of time against Iran in their final group stage match either, playing out a 1-1 draw. Granted Iran’s equaliser in stoppage time was through a dodgy penalty, but then Iran nearly won it, missing a clear-cut chance after converting the penalty to sink the Portuguese. So in no way shape or form have Portugal been convincing, but then they weren’t when they won Euro 2016. Cristiano Ronaldo is a 6/5 anytime goalscorer option* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on June 27th, 2018 at 5:52 p.m.). However, after scoring early against Morocco, he has been anonymous in the tournament.

Portugal have some good unbeaten form currently at W2 D4. However, they haven’t done a lot of winning as they have taken only three wins in their last nine (D5 L1). But all of those drawn games is another nod to their resilience, which we have seen evidence of again here. Keeper Rui Patricio is in great form which has helped them out and they have nabbed a clean sheet in three of their last five games. Our prediction for Uruguay v Portugal is under 2.5 goals at 4/9 odds* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on June 27th, 2018 at 5:52 p.m.) and that appears to be a bit of a banker. Portugal will have their usual game plan of trying to stay tight and hope for a piece of magic or two from Ronaldo. That will not be easy against a physical and organised Uruguay defence though.

Uruguay v Portugal Head to Head

This will be the first meeting between the two nations

Uruguay v Portugal Betting Odds*

Uruguay 9/5
Draw 2/1
Portugal 2/1* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on June 27th, 2018 at 5:52 p.m.)