The following is a match centre with betting tips for the 2018 FIFA World Cup round of 16 fixture between Uruguay and Portugal. The game kicks off on the 1st of July at 4:00 AM AEST. It will be broadcast live on SBS.
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Uruguay
- FIFA World Rank: 14
- Elo Rating: 12
- Qualifying: Second place in the CONMEBOL qualifiers with a 9-4-5 record.
Squad:
- Coach: Óscar Tabárez
- Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray), Martin Silva (Vasco da Gama), Martin Campana (Independiente)
- Defenders: Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid), Sebastian Coates (Sporting Lisbon), Jose Maria Gimenez (Atletico Madrid), Maximiliano Pereira (FC Porto), Gaston Silva (Independiente), Martin Caceres (Lazio), Guillermo Varela (Penarol)
- Midfielders: Nahitan Nandez (Boca Juniors), Lucas Torreira (Sampdoria), Matias Vecino (Inter Milan), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid), Rodrigo Bentancur (Juventus), Carlos Sanchez (Monterrey), Giorgian De Arrascaeta (Cruzeiro), Diego Laxalt (Genoa), Cristian Rodriguez
- Forwards: Cristhian Stuani (Girona), Maximiliano Gomez (Celta Vigo), Edinson Cavani (PSG), Luis Suarez (Barcelona)
Recent results:
- Uruguay 3 – 0 Russia
25/06/2018
FIFA World Cup, played in Russia - Uruguay 1 – 0 Saudi Arabia
20/06/2018
FIFA World Cup, played in Russia - Egypt 0 – 1 Uruguay
15/06/2018
FIFA World Cup, played in Russia - Uruguay 3 – 0 Uzbekistan
07/06/2018
Friendly, played in Uruguay - Wales 0 – 1 Uruguay
26/03/2018
Friendly, played in China - Uruguay 2 – 0 Czech Republic
23/03/2018
Friendly, played in China - Austria 2 – 1 Uruguay
14/11/2017
Friendly, played in Austria - Poland 0 – 0 Uruguay
10/11/2017
Friendly, played in Poland - Uruguay 4 – 2 Bolivia
10/10/2017
WC qualifiers, played in Uruguay - Venezuela 0 – 0 Uruguay
05/10/2017
WC qualifiers, played in Venezuela - Paraguay 1 – 2 Uruguay
05/09/2017
WC qualifiers, played in Paraguay - Uruguay 0 – 0 Argentina
31/08/2017
WC qualifiers, played in Uruguay
Statistics: (last four years):
- H2H Record: 22-9-12
- O/U record
- O/U 0.5 record: 39-4
- O/U 1.5 record: 28-15
- O/U 2.5 record: 24-19
- O/U 3.5 record: 10-33
- O/U 4.5 record: 4-39
- O/U 5.5 record: 3-40
- Wins
- Total wins: 22
- Won by 1 goal: 10
- Won by 2 goals: 3
- Won by 3 goals: 7
- Won by 4 goals: 2
- Won by 5 goals: 0
- Won by 5+ goals: 0
- Won to nil 17
- Losses
- Total losses: 12
- Lost by 1 goal: 7
- Lost by 2 goals: 3
- Lost by 3 goals: 2
- Lost by 4 goals: 0
- Lost by 5 goals: 0
- Lost by 5+ goals: 0
- Lost to nil 5
- Clean Sheets and BTTS
- Total Games: 43
- Clean Sheets: 21
- Held Scoreless: 9
- Both Teams Scored: 17
Portugal
- FIFA World Rank: 4
- Elo Rating: 6
- Qualifying: Won Group B with a 9-0-1 record in the UEFA Confederation qualification.
Squad:
- Coach: Fernando Santos
- Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Beto (Goztepe), Rui Patricio (Sporting Lisbon)
- Defenders: Bruno Alves (Rangers), Cedric Soares (Southampton), Jose Fonte (Dalian Yifang), Mario Rui (Napoli), Pepe (Besiktas), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund), Ricardo Pereira (Porto), Ruben Dias (Benfica)
- Midfielders: Adrien Silva (Leicester), Bruno Fernandes (Sporting Lisbon), Joao Mario (West Ham), Joao Moutinho (AS Monaco), Manuel Fernandes (Lokomotiv Moscow), William Carvalho (Sporting)
- Forwards: Andre Silva (AC Milan), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Gelson Martins (Sporting Lisbon), Goncalo Guedes (Valencia), Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas)
Recent results:
- Iran 1 – 1 Portugal
25/06/2018
FIFA World Cup, played in Russia - Portugal 1 – 0 Morocco
20/06/2018
FIFA World Cup, played in Russia - Portugal 3 – 3 Spain
15/06/2018
FIFA World Cup, played in Russia - Portugal 3 – 0 Algeria
07/06/2018
Friendly, played in Portugal - Belgium 0 – 0 Portugal
02/06/2018
Friendly, played in Belgium - Portugal 2 – 2 Tunisia
28/05/2018
Friendly, played in Portugal - Portugal 0 – 3 Netherlands
26/03/2018
Friendly, played in Switzerland - Portugal 2 – 1 Egypt
23/03/2018
Friendly, played in Switzerland - Portugal 1 – 1 USA
14/11/2017
Friendly, played in Portugal - Portugal 3 – 0 Saudi Arabia
10/11/2017
Friendly, played in Portugal - Portugal 2 – 0 Switzerland
10/10/2017
WC qualifiers, played in Portugal - Andorra 0 – 2 Portugal
07/10/2017
WC qualifiers, played in Andorra
Statistics: (last four years):
- H2H Record: 34-11-10
- O/U record
- O/U 0.5 record: 52-3
- O/U 1.5 record: 36-19
- O/U 2.5 record: 26-29
- O/U 3.5 record: 14-41
- O/U 4.5 record: 10-45
- O/U 5.5 record: 6-49
- Wins
- Total wins: 34
- Won by 1 goal: 17
- Won by 2 goals: 4
- Won by 3 goals: 6
- Won by 4 goals: 3
- Won by 5 goals: 1
- Won by 5+ goals: 3
- Won to nil 26
- Losses
- Total losses: 10
- Lost by 1 goal: 7
- Lost by 2 goals: 2
- Lost by 3 goals: 1
- Lost by 4 goals: 0
- Lost by 5 goals: 0
- Lost by 5+ goals: 0
- Lost to nil 8
- Clean Sheets and BTTS
- Total Games: 55
- Clean Sheets: 29
- Held Scoreless: 11
- Both Teams Scored: 18
Commentary
Uruguay qualified for the Round of 16 with a match to spare after they dispatched both Egypt and Saudi Arabia by 1-0 scorelines. In their most impressive display of the tournament, they then defeated hosts Russia 3-0 to win Group A. They blew the hosts away early into the game and were in cruise control from then on. The most impressive aspect of Uruguay’s form is their defence. They have yet to concede a goal in six matches this year. Russia only managed one shot on target against them, despite Uruguay missing key centre-back Jose Gimenez. The only caveat to Uruguay’s form is they haven’t faced tough opposition yet. Russia is a great example of a team that looked good against minnows but poor against a superior team. In team news, Jose Gimenez could return for this clash.
Portugal finished as runners up in Group B after conceding an injury-time penalty against Iran. Their punishment for that goal is a fixture against Uruguay in the tough top half of the draw instead of a game against Russia. Portugal have been hot and cold this tournament. Following their entertaining 3-3 draw against Spain, Portugal were unconvincing in their 1-0 win over Morocco. They wasted good opportunities and had to cling on at the end as Morocco searched for an equalizer. Portugal then drew Iran 1-1, with the Iranians scoring the equalizer 3 minutes into stoppage time. Iran then almost scored the match winner, which would have eliminated Portugal. Much like the national side, Cristiano Ronaldo’s form this tournament has been hit and miss. He was immense against Spain but quiet for most of the game against Morocco. Against Iran he missed a penalty and was lucky to avoid receiving a red card. Much of Portugal’s fortunes in this fixture will come down to his performance. Portugal’s set-piece defending will also be key. All of Uruguay’s 5 goals at this World Cup have come from set-pieces (3 from corners, 1 from a direct free-kick and 1 from an indirect free-kick). In team news, winger Gelson Martins and left-back Raphael Guerreiro are in contention after they returned to full training, while defensive midfielder William Carvalho is in doubt.
Betting
bet365 odds (subject to change):
Compare the latest bookmaker odds for Uruguay vs. Portugal
Uruguay have looked the more convincing of the two sides so far this tournament. While there is some uncertainty given Uruguay haven’t yet faced stiff opposition, Portugal failed to impress against Morocco and Iran. Also, Cristiano Ronaldo will have to walk a tightrope now that he has a yellow card. The 90-minute draw is also a strong possibility given Portugal’s record of avoiding defeat at recent major tournaments. I’m expecting a low scoring game so the 1-0, 0-0 and 1-1 90-minute scorelines look the most likely. Uruguay’s most recent draws all ended 0-0.
Betting tip: back Uruguay +0.5 (after 90 minutes) at 1.50 (Betfair)
Notes
- FIFA World rankings are from the 7th of June and sourced from https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/ranking-table/men/index.html
- The World Football Elo Ratings are from the 11th of June and are based on the Elo rating system, developed by Dr. Arpad Elo. This system is used by the international chess federation to rate chess players and is considered by many to be a superior rating tool to the one used by FIFA. The ratings have been sourced from https://www.eloratings.net/.
- Squad lists sourced from http://www.skysports.com/football/news/12098/11374464/every-world-cup-squad-listed-argentina-brazil-russia-and-more