2018 World Cup Odds and Prediction: Portugal Team Betting Preview

Portugal’s story centres on five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, but there’s more talent on the attacking line this time around for the Navigators.

2018 World Cup Portugal Team Odds

Odds to advance to knockout stages: -450

Odds to win the World Cup: +1700

Number of World Cup wins: 13

FIFA world ranking: No. 4

Manager: Fernando Santos

Captain: Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal Players to Watch

The easy answer is Ronaldo but there isn’t anything new or exciting about Mr. 18-pack abs. Bernardo Silva is a talented youngster who can play out wide or centrally as a creative playmaker. He didn’t see much action in his first season at Manchester City but a strong World Cup performance might force City manager Pep Guardiola to reconsider his first 11.

Portugal World Cup Formation and Projected Starting 11

Portugal play in a 4-4-2 formation with Ronaldo paired with AC Milan’s Andre Silva up top. The centre half situation is a bit dodgy, but 33-year-old Real Madrid defender Pepe is still a solid option. Bruno Alves, 36, is expected to form the second half of the defensive pairing with Cedric Soares and Raphael Guerriro manning the full-back positions.

The four-man midfield should see William Carvalho look after the defensive chores, Joao Moutinho take care of the distribution, and Bernardo Silva and Joao Mario man the flanks. Rui Patricio tallied three clean sheets in the knockout stages of Euro 2016 and Portugal will again turn to the Sporting CP keeper.

Portugal Strengths

Experience is a major factor in favour of this squad. Close to 15 players from the Euro Cup winning squad in 2016 returns for a run in Russia – including most of the starting 11. The midfield has a good balance of ball-winners and deft distributors.

Portugal Weaknesses

The centre back situation could be a problem. Bruno Alves has been a rock for the national team for most of the decade, but he’s advanced in age and coming off a rotten season in Scotland for Rangers. Portugal’s options aren’t great if Alves isn’t up to the task. Jose Fonte might work but he’s coming off a year playing in China where the competition isn’t at the same level.

Portugal News

Ronaldo is in the news every offseason and there seems to be a bit more substance to whispers of his possible departure from Spanish giants Real Madrid this time. It’s always a bit of a distraction when player agents play these games during international competitions, but Ronaldo shouldn’t be impacted by the questions from the media. He most likely will return to Real next season and with a healthy pay rise to boot.

Portugal Betting Prediction

This squad is talented enough for a big run, but, realistically World Cup bettors will be happy if it can advance to the quarterfinals. Portugal will likely have to beat either France or Brazil for that to happen – which is a longshot.

There are few individual honors Ronaldo has yet to claim but the Golden Ball (given to the player of the World Cup) and Golden Boot (awarded to the tournament’s top scorer) are two missing from his trophy cabinet. Sports Interaction lists his odds to win the Golden Boot at +1300.

Betting the under in Portugal’s matches seems like a good money-making strategy for World Cup bettors. Portugal scored more than one goal in only two of its seven matches at the 2016 Euro Cup.