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One of Europe's strongest teams will be saying goodbye to the World Cup at this early stage, as two of FIFA's top-eleven ranked teams lock horns in Toronto.
This match could also mark the end of a legendary World Cup career, with neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Luka Modric likely to grace FIFA's flagship tournament in 2030. These two players will remain icons in their native homelands, but are set to face each other at a World Cup for the last time.
We expect this to match to be decided by fine margins, where experience, individual quality, and the ability to cope with immense pressure will determine who progresses to the next round.
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Portugal v Croatia – Predictions
Both Teams to Score (BTTS): 19/20 (bet365)
Double Chance – Portugal or Draw and BTTS: 5/4 (bet365)
Croatia – Over 2.5 Shots on Target: 1/2 (bet365)
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
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Both teams to score
My first prediction relates to the "Both Teams to Score" market, one of the most popular types of bets among sports punters and one that can offer significant value.
If we check the Flashscore website app and look at the head-to-head record between Portugal and Croatia over the last eight years, we see that both teams have scored at least once in every single one of their contests. Furthermore, these are two of the best attacking teams at this World Cup.
Therefore, the evidence suggests that this bet could be successful. As bet365 are offering generous odds for this selection, we would encourage you to take advantage.
Prediction: Both Teams to Score (BTTS): 19/20 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet lands if both Portugal and Croatia score during the regulation 90 minutes (extra-time does not apply).
Historic patterns
We'll now combine bets from two different markets to further boost our odds, re-using our Both Teams to Score bet and adding a Match Result leg.
As alluded to earlier, Portugal and Croatia have scored at least one goal in each of their last six meetings. Portugal have only lose one of these encounters, a 2-1 friendly defeat in Lisbon just over two years ago.
Therefore, the statistics tell us that although Portugal are unlikely to lose this tie within regulation time, they may well concede.
Prediction: Double Chance – Portugal or Draw and BTTS: 5/4 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if Portugal are winning or drawing at the end of the regulation 90 minutes, but only if both teams have scored by this stage.
Croatia on the front foot
My final prediction takes us to the Shots on Target market, where high-value bets are often found.
Croatia registered 11 shots on target during the group stage, an average of 3.7 per match. Notably, their highest volume of accurate attempts came against Group L's strongest outfit, having forced England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford into action on five occasions.
Meanwhile, Portugal defended ten shots on target across their three group stage outings, an average of 3.3 per match. Even Uzbekistan managed to fire two shots on target against Portugal, despite being on the wrong end of a 5-0 hammering.
For the reasons outlined above, Croatia have a good chance of recording at least three shots on target before the referee's full-time whistle.
Prediction: Croatia – Over 2.5 Shots on Target: 1/2 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if Croatia register at least three shots on target during the regulation 90 minutes.
Portugal v Croatia – Odds
Match Result
Betting on World Cup 2026
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Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
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