Portugal vs Uruguay: Ronaldo looks to avenge 2018 World Cup defeat
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World Cup 2022: Portugal vs Uruguay odds, preview and tips
Cristiano Ronaldo hogged the headlines once again by becoming the first player to score in five World Cup finals in the win against Ghana and he can help Portugal book their place in the knockout stage with victory against Uruguay on Monday.
Ronaldo opened the scoring in a nervy 3-2 Group H victory and we go 20/21 in the Portugal winning odds to beat the South Americans, who drew 0-0 with South Korea in their opening game.
Uruguay are 3/1 outsiders to beat the 2016 European champions and a draw is priced at 9/4 as the teams meet at the finals for the second tournament in a row.
Portugal vs Uruguay form
Portugal headed to Qatar under the radar having qualified for the finals via the play-offs and their first-half display against Ghana suggested making it to the knockout stage in a tough group would be a difficult task.
Ronaldo converted a controversial penalty he won to kickstart a thrilling second half which Portugal seemed to be in control of at 3-1 up with a minute to go, but Osman Bukri pulled one back with a header and then the Africans perhaps should have nicked a point when keeper Diogo Costa did not spot Inaki Williams behind him when rolling the ball out to clear only for the Athletic Bilbao striker to slip at a crucial moment.
Uruguay, meanwhile, were disappointing in their opening match against South Korea in a game which saw just one shot on target, although Diego Godin and Federico Valverde both hit the woodwork.
Proud of his side after their first match at #Qatar2022 đź‘Ť
Hear from the @Budweiser Player of the Match, @Cristiano 🎙#YoursToTake #Budweiser #POTM @budfootball pic.twitter.com/bldC9mFauZ
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Edinson Cavani was not deemed fit enough to start but he replaced Luis Suarez midway through the second half which brought some urgency in and around the penalty area.
Uruguay will have to show more energy than they produced against Son Heung-min’s side, so with Portugal struggling to overcome the youngest squad at the finals, a draw seems on the cards at 9/4 in the World Cup odds.
Both teams were goalless at the break in their opening group games and that looks like a decent option at 7/5 in our Portugal vs Uruguay betting tips.
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Uruguay, who finished a distant third behind Brazil and Argentina in qualifying, scored first when the teams met in the round of 16 in Russia and are 8/5 to repeat the trick or 13/5 to do so in the opening half as they did four years ago.
Ronaldo, now a free agent after severing his ties with Manchester United, is 6/4 to score any time in the World Cup betting, but can be backed at 21/10 to find the net in a Portugal win.
Portugal vs Uruguay head to head
Cavani scored twice to fire Uruguay into the quarter-finals with a 2-1 victory over Ronaldo and co at the last World Cup and they are 7/1 to win and concede once again or 6/1 to be leading at half-time and full-time.
Both teams to score and at least three goals looks an interesting prospect at 8/5 while goals at both ends in the second half can be backed at 12/5.
The only previous meetings between these teams took place in 1966 and 1972.
Portugal vs Uruguay team news
Both teams came through their opening group games unscathed, but Cavani could start in place of Suarez alongside Darwin Nunez in a 4-3-3 formation in which Rodrigo Bentancur plays in a deep holding role.
Portugal coach Fernado Santos replaced Otavio with William Carvalho early in the second half, so it remains to seen if the Betis midfielder gets his first start.
Goalscorer odds
Ronaldo broke the deadlock with a controversial penalty and is the 7/2 favourite to do so again or 8/1 to score at least twice.
Joao Felix netted Portugal’s crucial second goal against the Black Stars and is 13/2 and 14/5 in the two markets, while Rafael Leao, who scored as a sub, is 10/3 to get in on the act again.
An icon being iconic.
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Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva are 7/1 and 9/1 respectively to draw first blood or 3/1 and 7/2 to find the net.
Suarez is viewed as the main man for Uruguay at 11/2 and 23/10, but Nunez looks a better shout at 7/1 and 14/5, the same odds as Cavani, who is 25/1 to score a double against the Portuguese once more.
Valverde also stands out in the World Cup odds to score at 7/1 having struck the post against South Korea.
Match Info
Where: Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail
When: 19:00, Monday 28th November
How to watch: ITV
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
