Betting tips for Portugal vs Switzerland: World Cup preview and odds

Portugal’s quest to reach a first-ever World Cup final continues on Tuesday evening with their last-16 clash against Switzerland at the Lusail Stadium.

A surprise contender at Euro 2020, reaching the quarter-finals of a major tournament for the first time since 1954, Nati are no also-rans.

But the Portuguese, as continental champions themselves in 2016 and with vast experience at finals events to call upon, should have enough class to get the better of their opponents in the 7pm GMT kick-off.

Portugal vs Switzerland betting tips

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

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Portugal to break down Swiss guard

Not since 2006 have the Portuguese gone beyond the last 16 of a World Cup. Their encounter with Switzerland, whose record of missing out on the quarter-finals goes back to their home tournament in 1954, provides the perfect opportunity.

With their third group game coming on the last day of pool action, the Seleção das Quinas, along with Brazil, were vying to become the only team to emerge from the first phase with a full nine points. But defeat by a bold South Korea cost them their perfect record, though not the top spot.

Their reward for leading the way in Group H is the chance to avoid meeting the Brazilians until the final and against Switzerland, who were run close by Cameroon in Group G, they will fancy their chances.

With six goals under their belts, Portugal should have enough to overpower their opponents, who have fared well with four scored themselves. However, the two goals shipped against Serbia in their final group encounter raise questions of the Swiss team’s ability to keep out the Portuguese attack.

Tip: Portugal to win and over 2.5 goals @ 9/4 with 888sport

Record-breaker Ronaldo ready for more

The only man to score at five World Cups, Cristiano Ronaldo is doing his utmost to provide the ultimate Portugal versus Argentina showdown in two weeks’ time.

A journey to the final could pit him against the iconic Lionel Messi, his long-time rival for the honour of being considered the world’s best player. After netting four goals at the previous World Cup, as well as five at Euro 2020, the statistics hint that Ronaldo’s business is not yet finished in Qatar.

The 37-year-old scored in the win over Ghana on matchday one, and a steady flow of opportunities have come his way, with five shots registered in all.

His eight career goals at World Cup finals tournaments leave him a modest joint 26th on the list behind the likes of Thomas Muller, on 10, and Kylian Mbappe and Messi, both on nine.

Knowing that Qatar 2022 is likely to be his last on the globe’s biggest football stage, the former Manchester United man will be pulling no punches as he seeks to avoid a premature farewell as suffered by Luis Suarez, of Uruguay.

Tip: Cristiano Ronaldo to score any time @ 6/4 with 888sport

Rodriguez on thin ice

Torino left back Ricardo Rodriguez has so far steered clear of a booking in Qatar, but his tough tackling has not escaped the attention of referees. The defender has been pulled up for six fouls so far – more than any of his teammates, with Remo Freuler the only other Swiss player to concede three or more fouls without seeing a card.

With a backs-to-the-wall game expected for the underdogs, the former AC Milan and Wolfsburg man could well be thrown into the thick of the action once more against a tricky Portuguese side.

Tip: Ricardo Rodriguez to be carded @ 9/2 with 888sport

Portugal vs Switzerland odds

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.