Iran vs. Portugal Prediction
Portugal will clinch its berth in the round of 16 as long as it wins or gets a draw against Iran today. Will favored Portugal get the job done or will there be a major upset in Class B action?
Game Snapshot
97803 Portugal vs. 97804 Iran
Monday, June 25, 2018
Mordovia Stadium at 2PM ET
TV: FOX
Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, Portugal is a -160 favorite to win on the moneyline. Iran is a +475 underdog, while a draw is set at +265. The over-under is set at 2.
Iran in with win
If Iran records the win today against Portugal, it will qualify for the round of 16. If Iran gets a draw, it will need Spain to lose by two or more goals to Morocco in order to advance. Iran is coming off a 1-0 loss to Spain last Wednesday. The game’s lone goal was scored by Diego Costa in the 54th minute. Iran only garnered 32 percent of the possession and recorded only five shots with none being on goal. Spain had 17 shots with three on goal.
Ronaldo keeps rolling
It didn’t take long for Cristiano Ronaldo to make his mark against Morocco as his header goal off a cross in the fourth minute was his fourth score in two games. It would hold up the rest of the way as Portugal recorded the 1-0 victory. If Portugal does loss to Iran today, it would need Spain to lose by more goals against Morocco in order to advance. Portugal struggled to get a lot going after the goal against Morocco, only holding 46 percent of the possession with 10 shots (two on goal). Morocco fired 16 shots (four on goal). It was a foul-filled match as Portugal committed 19 fouls and was handed one yellow card, while Morocco was called for 23 fouls and one yellow card.
Prediction:
Iran has impressed in group play, but I think its run ends here. Portugal has Ronaldo and no one on Iran is good enough to hang with him. If Iran puts too much focus on Ronaldo as it probably should, I think this could be the game where he gets considerable help from his teammates. Portugal isn’t going to take anything for granted knowing it needs a positive result here in order to ensure its advancement.
WORLD CUP DAILY PREDICTION: PORTUGAL -160