USA v Portugal Predictions & Betting Odds – World Cup 2014

USA poised to cause huge World Cup Group G upset?

USA v Portugal
USA v Portugal

USA v Portugal World Cup 2014, 22nd June Betting Preview

Well, there could be an upset in Group G if Jurgen Klinsmann’s USA can manage to get a win on the board here. Portugal were blown out of the water by Germany in their opening match, and they would be out of if they suffer another defeat here. The USA took an opening win over Ghana, and they will be hoping that Cristiano Ronaldo’s knee isn’t that healthy.

USA v Portugal Betting Tips

Well, these two have played each other five times before, and the honours are even at two wins each and a draw. However, looking deeper into that, the momentum is with the USA because they have won the last two meetings between the two nations. That includes a victory over Portugal at the 2002 World Cup, their only meeting in the finals. A late strike in their opening group match over Ghana sent the USA into elation and for the side who were running as group outsiders, in this fantastic World Cup, the underdog could be having its day in this one. Incidentally, that 3-2 win for the USA featured two own goals, the only game in World Cup history to have had that happen in.

The USA are in decent form at the moment, as they have record four wins in a row now, including that opening win over Ghana. Their last three matches have all ended in a 2-1 win for them, so you might want to run with that streak to continue. A USA 2-1 win is trading at 7/1 in the Correct Score market. Both Teams To Score could be a good option as well, because the USA have found the back of the net in each of their last seven World Cup matches. There is bad news though, as they have only managed to post two clean sheets in their last 24 World Cup matches. They suffered a blow in losing Jozy Altidore with injury, so Clint Dempsey is 2/1 shortest priced option for the USA in the anytime goalscorer market.

There was a massive blow for Portugal’s World Cup hopes as they were hammered out of sight in their opening match against Germany. Their 4-0 defeat against the Germans was their biggest ever World Cup defeat, and it was the first time that they had conceded four goals in a World Cup match. Worryingly for Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t an influence at all, and with big concerns over his knee, there is a risk that he may not be at his best against the USA in this crucial match. Still, Ronaldo is 4/6 favourite in the anytime goalscorer market, but he has only scored two goals from 55 shots in his World Cup career. Not great, and Portugal overall aren’t in great World Cup form, having won just one of their last eight in the competition, losing half of those. There could be a window of opportunity for the USA here.

USA v Portugal Betting Odds

Portugal 4/6, Draw 3/1, USA 4/1

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USA v Portugal Predictions

The best looking value in this match is taking a USA – Draw Double Chance wager. Portugal look vulnerable, and Ronaldo doesn’t look 100%. You’ll see a higher work rate coming from the USA in this one. There are concerns that their defence isn’t that strong, but a little enterprise could spring a surprise on the Europeans.