Iran vs Portugal Prediction & Betting Tips - World Cup

Prediction published on 20/06/2018, 16:49  by Valeria Di Meglio | Modified on 26/06/2018 at 03:26 in World Cup Predictions

Portugal have four points from their first two games in the 2018 World Cup but they could yet find themselves on the way home after this match. Iran have three points from their two matches and if they can win this game then Portugal would have to rely on Spain losing to Morocco and even then goal difference might have a say. That almost makes this game a knock-out match but Portugal know a draw will be enough to get them into the last sixteen for a game against either Russia or Uruguay. Their big advantage is of course Cristiano Ronaldo who already has four goals in two games and if he keeps scoring anything could happen. Over 90 minutes they have only lost one of their last 20 games but the big question is what happens if Ronaldo has an off-day or even worse gets injured.

But for VAR, Iran might have got a point against Spain but their goal was disallowed for offside. They defended long and hard against Spain and still only lost to a deflected shot but struggled to get possession with only 22 percent in the game. They still managed to create seven chances though and Portugal haven't got such a good defence as the Spanish side. They need a win to ensure a shock qualification for the last sixteen but a draw could see them through if Spain lose to Morocco by a couple of goals. It's hard to see Iran's defence keeping Ronaldo out for 90 minutes so the tip here is for a Portugal win.