Among the best aspects of the Round of 16 is quality. The weaker half of the field of 32 is gone. And the top 16 teams in the world remain. Matchups become much more even. Intensity is ramped up exponentially. Punters find the handicap challenge mesmerizing. Few World Cup betting odds matches epitomize this more than Uruguay vs. Portugal. Odds makers have it dead even on the board. And with plenty of good reason. Uruguay dominated a weak group. Portugal has the best player on Planet Earth. Only one of these top teams will advance. The loser goes home.
2018 FIFA World Cup Uruguay vs. Portugal
Date and Time: Saturday, June 30, 2018, 2 p.m. ET
Location: Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi
World Cup Betting Online Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | PK (-102) | 2 (+110) |  |
| Uruguay | PK (-113) | 2 (-125) | |
| |||
Uruguay vs. Portugal TV Coverage: FOX
Uruguay at the Top
On one hand Uruguay was impressive as undefeated Group A winner. Three wins in three games put them at the top. The destruction of host Russia in the deciding match showed their World Cup Betting Odds ability. The Sky Blue is no stranger to World Cup success. They made the round of 16 in 2014. And finished fourth in 2010. Uruguay’s first two games were not exactly awe inspiring.
Uruguay so far
In their opening match the Sky Blue defeated Egypt 1-0. Star players Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani missed good chances in the match. But Jose Gimenez saved the day with a goal at the 89 minute mark. Gimenez headed in the winner off a Carlos Sanchez free kick. Uruguay was fortunate in that striker Mohamed Salah was out for the Pharaohs. Luis Suarez did find the back of the net in the second mach. Uruguay defeated Saudi Arabia 1-0. It helped atone for his erratic performance in the first match. Manager Oscar Tabarez was unapologetic about the close win.
Favorite to Win
Uruguay was a heavy sportsbook favorite to win the group. They faced criticism about barely getting by weaker teams. Tabarez was irritated by the lack of respect for Uruguay’s opponents. But facing Russia for the Group A title Tabarez’s team asserted its dominance. They scored twice in the first 23 minutes en route to a 3-0 win.
Portugal so Far
For Portugal it’s of course the Cristiano Ronaldo show. The world’s greatest player scored a hat trick in the opening 3-3 draw with Spain. In the second match against Morocco Ronaldo scored the only goal of the match. Ronaldo was shut out in Portugal’s third game. As a result, they had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Iran.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Although Portugal is referred to as a one man team it’s not necessarily so. Argentina is far more reliant upon Lionel Messi. But its undeniable Ronaldo is the straw the stirs Portugal’s drink. Manager Fernando Santos is a big reason for Selecao’s improvement. Under his leadership they won the 2016 Euro. Which bodes well here.
Matchup to Watch
The matchup difference is Ronaldo. Nobody can match his ability to impact the World Cup betting odds. Uruguay won the weakest group. This is a big step up. Portugal’s Euro title is indicative of their championship potential.
World Cup Betting Odds Picks
Ronaldo should get Portugal past Uruguay and on to the next round.
World Cup Betting Online Pick: Portugal
World Cup Betting Online Score Prediction: Portugal 2, Uruguay 0
Catch highlights of Ronaldo’s epic hat trick against Spain!