Iran v Portugal tips: Iran to make Ronaldo and co work for the win
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Group B comes to a close tonight, with Spain taking on Morocco and Iran facing Portugal.
We’re focusing on the latter here. Portugal are level with Spain on four points, with Iran just behind on three thanks to their win over Morocco, so it’s this clash which has more riding on it.
A win for either side would send them through. A draw would definitely send Portugal through and it could do the same for Iran, although that requires Saudi Arabia to comfortably beat Spain.
Portugal have had a certain Cristiano Ronaldo to thank for their exploits in Russia so far.
The Real Madrid star has scored each of their four goals and is a large reason why they’re 4/6 favourites to win tonight.
Iran are underdogs at 17/4 but they have quietly impressed. They got slightly lucky against Morocco, but more than held their own against Spain in an unfortunate 1-0 defeat.
They have former Portugal boss Carlos Queiroz in charge, and will fancy grabbing a surprise result in Saransk this evening.
The big question is can Iran stop Ronaldo? Spain and Saudi Arabia have failed to do so.
Ronnie has been at his clinical best thus far in Russia, and he’s 9/4 favourite to score the opening goal of the game for the third time in succession.
There’s 16/5 about Ronaldo grabbing two goals or more, while it’s 14/1 he helps himself to another hat-trick.
But Iran have kept things pretty tight in this World Cup. Both of their matches have ended 1-0 and they have as much riding on this game as their opponents.
That could lead itself towards a cagey and cautious encounter. There’s 4/7 for under 2.5 goals tonight and 17/10 for under 1.5.
Our traders go 19/20 that the first half ends in a draw.
But the Portuguese should have enough quality to get the job done, and there’s 21/10 for a Portugal win and under 2.5 goals.
Click here for all our Iran v Portugal odds.
All Odds and Markets correct as of date of publication
