Preview: Iran vs Portugal
Portugal can see off Iran but it may not be easy
Portugal’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo attends a training session at the team’s base in Kratovo, outside Moscow, on June 19, 2018, on the eve of the Russia 2018 World Cup Group B football match between Portugal and Morocco. / AFP PHOTO / Francisco LEONG
Portugal still have work to do to confirm their place in the last 16 in their final Group B game, while a shock Iran win here would send them through at Ronaldo and co’s expense. It’s a long shot – probably longer than the 5/1 on offer – but they can certainly make it a nervy night.
The victory over Morocco was far from convincing, with Portugal rather clinging on towards the end.
It’s 7/10 for Portugal to get the win here, but we’d rather back 10/11 for Ronaldo to get on the scoresheet. He’s been a man possessed in Russia and obviously that kind of price about someone who takes penalties is worth a look anyway given how many spot-kicks have been awarded. And that’s clearly a long way from being Ronaldo’s only route to goal.
Iran, though, were pretty unlucky to lose to a freak Diego Costa goal when they took on Spain and they have everything to play for themselves.
Iran are 6/5 with a one-goal start which looks well worth a look, while a 1-0 Portugal win – mirroring their own result against Morocco and Spain’s against Iran – seems reasonably priced at 9/2.
Throw Ronaldo as the goalscorer into that 1-0 prediction and you double that price to 9/1. Given the lack of any other obvious goal threat it’s probably better value than the 1-0 on its own.
Ronaldo has struck early in both Portugal games to date – it’s 4/1 for there to be a goal in the first 10 minutes here.
· Ronaldo to score and Portugal to win 1-0 at 9/1
· Goal in the first 10 minutes at 4/1
