Portugal and Croatia meet in Toronto in the early hours of Friday with both teams looking to progress to the round of 16 at the World Cup after making it through the group phase.
Robert Martinez's men finished second in Group K, beating Uzbekistan 5-0 while being held by DR Congo and table-toppers Colombia.
Croatia lost their opening Group L game against England but bounced back to beat Panama and Ghana to advance to the round of 32.
This is set to be an interesting clash between two of Europe's top football nations, with Spain or Austria awaiting the winner in the next stage of the World Cup.
Portugal v Croatia Tips Summary
Best bet: Portugal to win @ 7/10
Alternative bet: Under 2.5 goals @ 8/11
Bet builder: Both teams to score - No, Cristiano Ronaldo 2+ shots on target & Under 8 corners @ 10/1
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Bet on Portugal at the World Cup.
Portugal v Croatia Prediction
Best bet: Portugal to win @ 7/10
Portugal and Croatia both feature an icon still playing the game into his forties, though the narrative around each individual has differed at this World Cup.
While Luka Modric is seen as integral to Croatia's form at 40, some doubt whether Cristiano Ronaldo, now 41, still has a positive influence on the Seleção and wonder if the focus on the forward hampers the play.
However, when looking at the two sides as a whole, the Vatreni are a team in transition that perhaps don't possess the quality of previous Croatia outfits.
Portugal, though, boast talent all over the pitch and should have enough to win and reach the Round of 16.
Martinez's side were talked about as one of the favourites at the start of the World Cup and, while they perhaps flattered to deceive in the group stage, this team can certainly go up a level in the knockouts.
Croatia are not the force they were at previous tournaments like 2018 when they reached the final, and while they will certainly cause problems on the day, Portugal's midfield wins the battle in the centre of the park; that should be the catalyst for victory and progress.
The Seleção head into the game having gone eight games unbeaten, while Croatia have lost three of their last six matches.
Alternative bet: Under 2.5 goals @ 8/11
Croatia will aim to make life difficult for Portugal in Toronto and it is likely to be a tight affair.
While Ronaldo and Co hit five past Uzbekistan, the team managed only one goal against DR Congo and failed to net against Colombia.
Portugal have only conceded a total of three goals in seven games, picking up four clean sheets since the end of March.
Croatia's last three wins have only been by a single goal and the Blazers' recent matches have been close.
Though Zlatko Dalić's side let in four against England in their group opener, the game with Portugal won't be so open with elimination on the line.
With those figures in mind, backing under 2.5 goals when the sides meet could prove a smart play.
Portugal vs Croatia Bet Builder Tip
Both teams to score - No
Cristiano Ronaldo 2+ shots on target
Under 8 corners
Pays @ 10/1
Portugal have conceded just once at the World Cup so far, keeping a clean sheet against a Colombia side who had found the net to win their previous group matches.
Croatia have netted in each of their last three games but may find it difficult to score on Friday, with defending the priority against the Portuguese.
Portugal are capable of recording a shutout to edge what will be a closely-contested match.
Ronaldo scored a brace against Uzbekistan, which will have given him even greater belief that he can deliver again for his nation.
The former Real Madrid superstar recorded five shots on target in that game and will try his luck again against Croatia.
Portugal and Croatia are among the countries to have hit the fewest corners at the World Cup. With a combined total of just 17 corners across six group games, backing under eight corners looks a smart bet.
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Key Match Stats
Cristiano Ronaldo has drawn a blank in six of his last seven Portugal matches
Croatia have lost three games in six having previously gone nine unbeaten
Portugal hit nine of their 16 shots on target in the 5-0 win over Uzbekistan
Croatia have reached one final and finished third twice at the World Cup since 1998
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
