Portugal vs Switzerland prediction, odds, betting tips and best bets for World Cup 2022 Round of 16 clash

Portugal and Switzerland meet for the third time in 2022, as the two European nations look to advance to the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup.

These two sides clashed twice in their UEFA Nations League group back in June, with each side winning their home leg. Now we have a decider with far higher stakes.

After being rested in their group-stage finale against South Korea, which ended in a surprise defeat, Portugal attackers Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Joao Felix are expected to return to the starting lineup. So too will defender Ruben Dias, in all likelihood.

South Korea have only advanced from the Round of 16 once in their World Cup history, that coming on home soil as they rode the host boost into the 2002 semifinals.

They have never won a World Cup knockout-stage match outside of their home country.

MORE: How to watch Portugal vs Switzerland on TV and online

Portugal vs Switzerland betting odds

Portugal are clearly fancied by the bookmakers in this match, but there is some evident respect for Switzerland after their win over Serbia to secure a knockout-stage spot.

The odds may also reflect some trepedation regarding Portugal, whose team harmony is in question following the fallout from Ronaldo's Manchester United exit and his chemistry with former Old Trafford teammate Fernandes. 

Odds via BetMGM (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), SkyBet (UK), and Ladbrokes (Australia).

A reminder: All moneyline bets in soccer are for regulation time only, regardless of competition. If the match requires a winner and goes to extra time or penalties, a moneyline bet of a regulation draw is successful and the rest of play does not factor in.

Portugal vs Switzerland: 3 things to know

Portugal vs Switzerland team news

Cristiano Ronaldo missed the defeat to South Korea in the final match of the group stage, as the squad was rotated by coach Fernando Santos. Ronaldo reportedly was suffering from an injury, training individually, but should be fit for this match.

The news is not so good for either Danilo Pereira (broken ribs) or Nuno Mendes (thigh), as the two PSG players have both been ruled out for this match, with Nuno done for the World Cup.

There are no injury concerns for Switzerland, who are expected to have Noah Okafor back from his thigh problem. Goalkeeper Yann Sommer will hopefully be available after missing the Serbia match through illness.

MORE: Full injury tracker for all 32 teams at the 2022 FIFA World Cup

Portugal vs Switzerland key stats

• These two teams have matched up a lot in recent years in competitive action. Since their first competitive meeting at the 1986 Euros, they have played 12 times, with Portugal winning six, Switzerland winning three, and three draws.
• They've nearly split the most recent matchups, with Portugal winning three and Switzerland winning two across the last five meetings, all since 2016.
• Xherdan Shaqiri became the first Swiss player to score in three World Cups with his goal against Serbia in the group stage.
• Cristiano Ronaldo has the most goals in World Cup history (8) of any player without a single knockout-stage goal.

Portugal vs Switzerland match facts

• Date: Tuesday, December 6
• Kickoff Time: 2:00 pm ET / 7:00 pm GMT / 6:00 am AEDT (Wed, Dec. 7)
• Location: Lusail Stadium
• Official: Cesar Ramos (Mexico)

Portugal vs Switzerland prediction

• Moneyline lean: Portugal (-115)
• Against the spread lean: Portugal -0.5 (-120)
• Score prediction: Portugal 2-1 Switzerland

While Portugal looked poor in their final group-stage match, that was largely due to the hefty squad rotation from coach Fernando Santos.

That tracked similarly to the way other top teams approached the final group-stage match, including Brazil and France. Still, with their first-team squad, they are as deadly as anyone.

The loss of Nuno Mendes is a big one, but Joao Cancelo is a world-class player in his own right and will ensure Portugal don't miss a beat. Switzerland are a plucky side, but Portugal should advance in the end.

Portugal vs Switzerland: Best bet

• Pick: Both teams to score
• Odds: +105 (BetMGM)

Portugal play a high-energy style that differs from the defensive nature they displayed at recent major tournaments. That results in chances at the other end, as they look to out-score their opponents. They conceded over 1.0 xG to two of their three group-stage opponents, while also giving up two goals to Ghana on 0.93 xG.

Switzerland should be able to capitalize on that at least once, as they put up 4.24 xG against their two group-stage opponents not named Brazil.

Portugal vs Switzerland prop bet

• Pick: Over 4.5 total cards
• Odds: +152 (BetMGM)

• Pick: Ricardo Rodriguez to be booked
• Odds: +330 (BetMGM)

There's going to be a lot of emotion and venom to this match, as both teams will bitterly want to get the better of the other and earn a spot in the quarterfinals.

Both teams will believe, thanks to recent results, that they can beat the other, and if it doesn't go their way, frustration can set in.

One man who could add to that total is Switzerland left-back Ricardo Rodriguez. While he's not been booked in a long time for club or country, he leads Switzerland on fouls conceded so far this tournament with six, and he'll likely have to face Rafael Leao at some point, possibly late in the game while lacking energy, if the Portuguese winger comes in fresh off the bench.

Mexican referee Cesar Ramos has not been card-happy through two World Cup games, but in Liga MX action over the past few months he was extremely happy to go to the pocket, and could do so again here between these two teams with needle to their game.

Portugal vs Switzerland flier bet

• Pick: Rafael Leao to score last
• Odds: +600 (BetMGM)

I am adamantly against taking first goalscorers, but in this case, there's a way to boost your odds without taking too much of a risk.

Portugal coach Santos has not started with maybe his best attacking player, Leao, preferring him to come in off the bench. He's had a great impact, too, scoring against Ghana and picking up 0.93 xGOT through just 59 minutes of action.

With Leao coming on late, it's extremely likely he could find the back of the net and finish the game off with a bang for Portugal, with either a dramatic equalizer or winner.

Portugal vs Switzerland live stream, TV channel

MORE: Watch every World Cup match live with fuboTV (U.S.-only free trial)

This Round of 16 clash will be played at Lusail Stadium. Here's how you can watch all the action in some of the major global territories.