Portugal vs. Switzerland Betting Tips: Back Xhaka to let off a shot in 7/1 Bet Builder
Live on ITV, Portugal go up against Switzerland in the round of 16 stage of the World Cup at the Lusail Stadium on Tuesday night, we've got a preview for the game along with our best bets.
Live on ITV, Portugal go up against Switzerland in the round of 16 stage of the World Cup at the Lusail Stadium on Tuesday night. The Portuguese side collected 6 points by beating Ghana and Uruguay in the group stages to top Group H, while the Swiss also collected 6 points after beating both Cameroon and Serbia to finish as the runners up of Group G.
There is no clear winner when it comes to head to head meetings between these two sides as both Portugal and Switzerland have won 3 games each out of the 6 they have played in all competitions.
On paper, the Portuguese side will head into this game as favourites but the Swiss are not to be taken lightly. They knocked out reigning World Champions France to make the quarter finals at last year’s quarter final and will be looking to cause another upset.
A mammoth World Cup clash awaits us and as usual, I have you covered with 2 of my best betting angles included in the preview below:
Team News:
Nuno Mendes & Danilo Pereira are out for Portugal while Otavio is doubtful.
Renato Steffen is doubtful for Switzerland.
Portugal possible starting lineup:
Costa; Dalot, Pepe, Dias, Cancelo; B. Silva, Neves, Carvalho; Fernandes; Felix, Ronaldo
Switzerland possible starting lineup:
Kobel; Widmer, Akanji, Schar, Rodriguez; Freuler, Xhaka; Shaqiri, Sow, Vargas; Embolo
Portugal vs Switzerland Tips
- - Remo Freuler Over 1.5 tackles in the match
- - Silvan Widmer Over 0.5 tackles in the match
- - Over 1.5 goalkicks in the match for Switzerland
Remo Freuler is averaging 2.67 tackles per game in the World Cup making 2, 3 and 3 tackles in the group stages. He will have a tough job on his hands in that defensive midfield position and in such a crunch game, I expect him to comfortably hit the ‘Over 1.5 tackles’ line. Defensive midfielders against Portugal have cleared the ‘Over 1.5 tackles’ line in all 3 group stage games so far.
Silvan Widmer is averaging 3.33 tackles per game in the World Cup making 3, 3 and 4 tackles in the group stages and should have plenty of opportunities to make at least 1 tackle here. Finally, Portugal will be expected to rack up plenty of shots here which should comfortably lead to at least two Switzerland goal kicks. Combining these 3 selections gives us a solid bet builder and I am happy to stake 1pt on that as our main bet for this massive round of 16 clash.
Portugal have been impressive on the attacking front having scored 6 goals in their 3 group stage games but are still leaking goals at the back having conceded 2 goals each against both Ghana and South Korea. I expect the attacking talent of Portugal to flourish and get the goals needed to get them over the line but with a defence that is vulnerable, Switzerland can get a consolation goal.
As for the Xhaka shots, he loves to have a pop from distance and has had 5 shots in 3 games so far in the World Cup. He also takes free kicks for Switzerland so adding his shot gives us a 7/1 longshot that I am happy to take with a small 0.25pt stake as our 2nd bet for this game.
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