Portugal will be hoping to exact revenge for their 2018 World Cup exit as they take on Uruguay, the side that dumped them out of the Round of 16 in Russia.
This time around, the two sides are matched up in the group stage and both come into the game with a chance to pull away in the standings.
Portugal took down Ghana, the lowest-ranked side in the tournament, in their opening match by a 3-2 scoreline, although it was hard work down the stretch as the African side just would not go away. Uruguay, meanwhile, played to a disappointing scoreless draw with South Korea that saw La Celeste completely misfire in front of goal.
Here, Portugal can secure a knockout-stage place with a win and some outside help, while Uruguay will need a result to realistically stay afloat.
MORE: Portugal vs Uruguay World Cup time, live stream, TV channel, lineups, odds
Portugal vs Uruguay odds
Portugal are thought to be somewhat heavy favorites in this match, swinging into minus-odds territory over their South American rivals.
Bookmakers also believe goals will be at a premium as the under is a heavy favorite and the "no" result of both teams to score also favored, although not as heavily. The half-goal spread features almost a dead-even split, meaning sports books believe that's the differential between these two sides.
Odds via BetMGM (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), SkyBet (UK), and LadBrokes (Australia).
| BetMGM | Sports Interaction | SkyBet | LadBrokes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal win | -105 | 1.92 | 10/11 | 20/21 |
| Draw | +240 | 3.33 | 9/4 | 9/4 |
| Uruguay win | +300 | 3.85 | 3/1 | 3/1 |
| Both teams to score Y / N | +100 / -135 | 1.89 / 1.72 | 10/11, 4/5 | 19/20, 4/5 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals | +110 / -160 | 2.15 / 1.65 | 11/10, 4/6 | 23/20, 8/13 |
| Portugal -0.5 | -115 | 1.94 | — | — |
| Uruguay +0.5 | -120 | 1.84 | — | — |
Portugal vs Uruguay: 3 things to know
Portugal vs Uruguay team news
Already missing Diogo Jota, Pedro Neto, and Ricardo Pereira due to long-term injuries before the World Cup, Portugal are now having to navigate an injury to full-back Nuno Mendes who picked up a muscle issue in pre-tournament training and missed the Ghana match. His status is unknown, but it's safe to say Portugal missed his presence in the opener. Head coach Fernando Santos will have to consider whether to start Rafael Leao, as his appearance as a substitute vs Ghana was positive and questions were asked about why he started on the bench.
Defender Ronald Araujo missed the opener for Uruguay as he recovers from a long-term hip injury, but he is expected to contribute soon. If Araujo is fit and ready to start, head coach Diego Alonso will have to decide whether to replace Diego Godin or Jose Maria Gimenez in defense. Their only other injury miss is Mauro Arambarri who did not make the roster due to an ankle injury.
MORE: Full injury tracker for all 32 teams at the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Portugal vs Uruguay key stats
- Since the start of 2022, Portugal have scored 22 goals in 10 matches and were shut out just twice in that span.
- In Portugal's win over Ghana, Bruno Fernandes became just the second Portugal player ever to provide two assists in a World Cup match.
- Uruguay have failed to score in three of their past five matches.
- Uruguay have kept a clean sheet in each of their past five World Cup group-stage matches. No team has ever kept a clean sheet in six consecutive World Cup group-stage games.
Portugal vs Uruguay match facts
- Date: Monday, November 28
- Kickoff Time: 2:00 pm ET / 7:00 pm GMT / 6:00 am AEDT (Tue, Nov. 29)
- Location: Lusail Iconic Stadium
- Official: Alireza Faghani (Iran*)
* Referee Alireza Faghani is from Iran but has been officiating in the Australian A-League since 2019.
Portugal vs Uruguay prediction
- Moneyline lean: Draw (+240)
- Against the spread lean: Uruguay +0.5 (-120)
- Score prediction: Portugal 2-2 Uruguay
There is a strong argument to be made for both sides coming away with the three points here, and therefore I'm sitting squarely on the fence. I picked Uruguay to win the group coming into the tournament, but their performance in the opener gives me pause here.
MORE: Portugal vs. Uruguay World Cup lineups, starting 11 for Group H match
Portugal vs Uruguay: best bet
There is a lot at stake in this match, and it may have the feel of a car crash at times. These two nations aren't known historically for their prolific goalscoring, but Portugal have been better in front of net of late. Still, against a structurally sound side like Uruguay, Cristiano Ronaldo and company could find themselves hemmed in for large stretches of the match.
Portugal vs Uruguay best bet
- Pick: Uruguay double chance
- Odds: -120 (BetMGM)
As much as I want to take Uruguay to win at +300 odds, I just can't trust their attack the way they misfired against South Korea in the opener. Still, Uruguay did dominate for much of that game, and if they can get Federico Valverde into better positions, they can come away with a result here.
Portugal are adept at finding the back of the net, but the way they struggled to deal with Ghana down the stretch will give Uruguay hope late in this match, even if they trail heading into the final 10 or 15 minutes.
Portugal vs Uruguay prop bet
- Pick: Both teams to score
- Odds: -105 (BetMGM)
Both teams have not scored in a Uruguay match for seven straight games, which means they're due. While this match will by no means be high-scoring, there should be an impetus for both teams to get goals knowing that victory in this game will provide a great lift.
Portugal will qualify for the knockout stage with a win, and they could even secure the group's top spot depending on the other result, while Uruguay will know a win puts them in pole position to qualify on the final day. Uruguay were poor in front of net against South Korea, but even then Valverde hit the post and the South Americans should have come away with the win. Against Portugal, a side with some defensive injuries and frailties, this match should have some venom to it.
Portugal vs. Uruguay prop bet
- Pick: Rafael Leao to score or assist a goal
- Odds: +135 (FanDuel)
Electric young winger Rafael Leao has bossed Serie A this season at AC Milan, yet for some reason Fernando Santos decided to sit him in the opener against Ghana. Leao came off the bench and made an immediate impact, scoring his first international goal and what ultimately proved to be the game-winning strike.
Santos would be mad to sit him a second time, and he should go from the start. He was on absolute fire with Milan just before the World Cup break, putting up two goals on 1.85 xG in his final five league games, plus 0.87 xA to go along with that.
For my country for my people ❤️💛💚@selecaoportugal pic.twitter.com/7RpiLlzTYv
— Rafael Leão (@RafaeLeao7) November 25, 2022
