Russia vs Portugal Prediction, Betting Tips and Preview
Russia have a tough test against European Champions Portugal in the the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 Group Stage on Wednesday. Read the match predictions to find out why Portugal win is the betting tip at the Otkrytie Arena. The tournament hosts got underway with a rudimentary 2-0 win over minnows New Zealand while Portugal conceded a stoppage time equaliser to draw 2-2 against Mexico.
Russia vs Portugal Preview
Russia are expected to stick with the attacking partnership of Dmitry Poloz and Fyodor Smolov, with the latter getting on the scoresheet against New Zealand. Yuri Zhirkov is an option in midfield but could again be deployed on the left, with head coach Stanislav Cherchesov unlikely to move away from playing three centre backs.
Portugal are unlikely to make any drastic changes. Ricardo Quaresma scored the opener against Mexico and should continue on the right-flank, opposite Andre Gomes. Cristiano Ronaldo hit the woodwork and set up a goal last time out but will be hungry to get on the scoresheet himself. He should be joined by Nani in attack, although promising young striker Andre Silva is a viable alternative.
Team Predictions Russia vs Portugal
Russia 5-3-2 formation: Akinfeev; Zhirkov, Kudryashov, Vasin, Dzhikiya, Samedov; Golovin, Glushakov, Erokhin; Poloz, Smolov
Portugal 4-4-2 formation: Patricio; Guerreiro, Fonte, Pepe, Cedric; Gomes, William, Silva, Quaresma; Nani, Ronaldo
Russia vs Portugal Betting Tips
- Russia have won 4 drawn 3 and lost 3 of their last 10 matches
- Portugal have won 7 drawn 1 and lost 2 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Russia have scored an average of 1.5 goals and conceded an average of 1.2 goals per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Portugal have scored an average of 3.5 goals and conceded an average of 0.8 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 4 of Russia’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 9 of Portugal’s previous 10 matches
Russia vs Portugal Prediction
There was nothing startling about Russia’s expected comfortable victory over New Zealand but this will be a tougher test. The 2018 World Cup hosts have only qualified for that competition on three previous occasions, so this is a chance to demonstrate their ability ahead of the finals next year. With individual talent thin on the ground, a solid team performance will be required to get a result here.
Portugal boast a far better pool of players than Russia. Cristiano Ronaldo can win games on his own but even if you remove him from the equation, Portugal still look a better side on paper. The Navigators were good value for a win against Mexico but let their guard down in the dying minutes, so will be looking to atone for those dropped points here.
As tournament hosts, I expect Russia to put a shift in but that probably won’t be enough. Portugal will have to work for the win but have the personnel to do so. It’s not often that Cristiano Ronaldo goes two games without scoring and it would be no surprise if he made a telling contribution in this match.
Free Betting Tips
Match Prediction
PORTUGAL at Evs with William Hill
Over/Under Prediction
OVER 2.5 GOALS at 5/4 with Betfair
Correct Score Prediction
PORTUGAL 2-1 at 8/1 with Coral
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