Verdict: Portugal to qualify
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Unibet
Looking to extend on their World Cup adventure on Tuesday night, Portugal will meet Switzerland at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.
Portugal
Starting with Portugal, after signing off their Group H campaign with a last-gasp 2-1 loss against South Korea last week, the former European champions will be looking to prove that was just a minor blip. Managing to book their knockout stage ticket as Group H winners, some have tipped Fernando Santos’ side as a real dark horse pick in Qatar. Opening up their World Cup adventure with back-to-back victories against Ghana and Uruguay, the Navigators will be desperate to avoid an upset on Tuesday night. Looking to book their first quarter-final spot since 2006, Portugal will be calling on a certain Bruno Fernandes to spearhead their charge in Lusail. Including a brace in their 2-0 win against Uruguay on November 28th, the Manchester United talisman has recorded four strikes in his last trio of international appearances over the past three weeks.
Team News
Recording a pair of World Cup strikes this winter, Fernandes will return to Santos’ starting XI here after being given a rest against South Korea last week. The Manchester United ace should replace Benfica’s Joao Mario.
Suffering a thigh injury in Portugal’s 2-0 victory against Uruguay on November 28th, the European heavyweights have confirmed that 20-year-old Nuno Mendes will not feature again this winter.
Switzerland
As for Switzerland, while the Reds might have been frustrated by their close-fought 1-0 loss against Brazil on November 28th, Murat Yakin’s men came roaring back over the weekend. Eventually grabbing what was an action-packed 3-2 victory against Serbia in their final Group G appearance, the Rossocrociati have once again gained plenty of plaudits this winter. Opening their Qatar quest with a 1-0 win against Cameroon, they could be smelling the chance to spring an upset on Tuesday night. Now winning five of their last six competitive matchups across all formats, Switzerland should also be boosted by their most recent meeting against the Navigators. It should be noted, when Yakin’s side welcomed their European rivals to Geneva for a Nations League showdown back in June, the Reds picked up an eye-catching 1-0 victory on home soil.
Team News
Bagging his second World Cup strike of the winter as Switzerland picked up a 3-2 victory against Serbia over the weekend, Monaco’s Breel Embolo will spearhead Yakin’s charge on Tuesday night.
Missing out against Serbia last week due to an illness, number one goalkeeper Yann Sommer should return between the sticks here. Likewise, Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka should once again be partnered by Remo Freuler at the heart of Switzerland’s midfield.
Key Factors to Consider
- When the two sides faced off back in June, Switzerland picked up a 1-0 victory in Geneva while on Nations League duties.
- That result brought an end to Portugal’s three-match winning run against the Rossocrociati.
- Both Bruno Fernandes and Breel Embolo have bagged two World Cup strikes this winter.
- Switzerland have recorded just a single clean sheet in any of their previous six appearances across all formats.
- Nine of Portugal’s last 10 World Cup appearances have finished with over 1.5 goals.
Conclusion
While an altered Portugal squad might have been frustrated by their late 2-1 loss against South Korea last week, the former European champions should still find the mood in their camp at a high. Opening their World Cup adventure with a pair of victories against Ghana and Uruguay, the Navigators have been billed as a potential dark horse pick in Qatar. Although Santos’ side might have suffered a sluggish 1-0 loss when they faced off against Switzerland back in June for a Nations League showdown, they’re rightfully tipped as a standout pick here. Although their European rivals might have once again impressed on the world stage this winter, the Rossocrociati will know that they face a tough test on Tuesday night. In what could be an enjoyable affair from Lusail, we’re backing Portugal to punch their quarter-final ticket here.
Verdict: Portugal to qualify
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Unibet
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