Portugal v DR Congo World Cup Prediction: 21/10 Neto to make his mark

Portugal have one of the most talented squads at World Cup 2026 and they begin their quest for glory with a Group K opener against DR Congo at the NRG Stadium in Houston on Wednesday.

DR Congo have booked their place at the World Cup for the first time since 1974 and they will be desperate to impress having had to navigate the intercontinental play-offs to reach the tournament.

Portugal have failed to go past the quarter-final stage of the tournament in the last four editions and this will be Cristiano Ronaldo’s last chance to lift the trophy before he decides to call it a day.

Portugal v DR Congo Tips Summary

Best Bet - Portugal to win and both teams to score @ 9/4
Alternative Bet - Pedro Neto to score anytime @ 21/10
Bet Builder - Cristiano Ronaldo 2+ shots on target, Arthur Masuaku to be carded and Bernardo Silva to make 1+ fouls @ 12/1

Portugal v DR Congo Prediction

Best Bet: Portugal to win and both teams to score @ 9/4

Portugal appear to have been handed a kind draw in the group stage, with clashes against Uzbekistan and Colombia to come after this DR Congo opener.

Their ambitions extend far beyond qualifying for the next round, but it remains to be seen how well-equipped they are.

Portugal’s Nations League success in 2025 suggests they can make a deep run, but there are defensive concerns for Roberto Martinez’s side.

Portugal have failed to keep a clean sheet in five of their last seven matches, while they conceded seven times in their six qualifiers last year. 

They opened their Euro 2024 campaign by conceding first against the Czech Republic, and this DR Congo side could trouble them.

DR Congo have scored in 14 of their last 16 matches, with Newcastle’s Yoane Wissa leading their forward line.

Portugal head into the tournament following 2-1 victories over Chile and Nigeria, and while they are worthy favourites to win, they are well-priced to concede in another victory.

Alternative Bet: Pedro Neto to score anytime @ 21/10

Bruno Fernandes heads into the tournament having just broken the record for Premier League assists in a season with 21.

However, between Ronaldo’s lack of movement and Rafael Leao’s inconsistency, there’s a chance that Portugal will struggle to maximise Fernandes’ creativity.

But, Chelsea’s Pedro Neto could be set for a star turn this summer. The winger had a solid campaign for the chaotic Blues, and he scored his third international goal in Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Nigeria ahead of the tournament.

Neto was important in Chelsea’s run to Club World Cup triumph last year, scoring in three of his six games in the USA. He could be in line for another strong showing and stands out at 21/10 in the anytime goalscorer market. 

Portugal v DR Congo Bet Builder Tip

• Cristiano Ronaldo 2+ shots on target

• Arthur Masuaku to be carded

• Bernardo Silva to make 1+ fouls
  

  Pays 12/1

While Ronaldo’s presence splits opinion, the Al-Nassr forward is not shy when it comes to shooting. He was the only Portuguese player to finish in double-figures for shots on target in qualifying, recording 12 across his five appearances. 

Ronaldo has had at least one effort on target in 18 of his last 19 competitive games for Portugal, and he is backed to have at least two in this clash.

Left-back Arthur Masuaku struggled for game time across spells with Lens and Sunderland over the last 12 months.

However, he picked up 13 bookings for Besiktas in 2024/25, and he had another 13 the season prior. This clash should be a difficult test for the defender, so back him to have his name taken.

Finally, Bernardo Silva’s final season at Manchester City saw him lead the team in bookings. He will need to lean on that physicality again for his national side, and he recorded a team-high five fouls in qualifying.

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Key Match Stats

• Portugal have conceded in five of their last seven matches

• DR Congo have scored in 14 of their last 16 internationals 

• Portugal arrive at the tournament following 2-1 wins over Chile and Nigeria

• Roberto Martinez’s side conceded seven times across six qualifying matches last year

• Pedro Neto scored 10 times for Chelsea across all competitions this season

• The winger found the net in three of his games at the Club World Cup in North America last summer

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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.