Portugal is favored in the Portugal vs Uruguay World Cup odds

Portugal vs Uruguay Picks & Odds: Portugal Favored to Avenge 2018 World Cup Defeat

Portugal will look to advance to the knockout stage for the second time in as many FIFA World Cup appearances when they battle Uruguay on Monday in Group H matchday 2 action. Portugal maintained its recent offensive momentum in Thursday’s group-stage opener, eking out a narrow 3-2 win over Ghana, and has now potted multiple goals in seven of 10 contests across all competitions so far in 2022.

Uruguay remains in desperate need of points after settling for a scoreless draw with South Korea in their tournament opener and has now been held off the scoresheet in three of its past five overall matches.

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Portugal vs Uruguay Sportsbook Odds

There has been little movement in the Portugal vs Uruguay odds since the Seleção opened as -106 favorites. Portugal has since dipped slightly to a -103 bet, while Uruguay trails as a lengthy +320 underdog. The odds of Monday’s contest ending in a draw are pegged at +245, while the total remains steady at 2.25. Monday’s matchup represents a rematch between these sides, who met for the first time ever in the Round of 16 at Russia 2018, with Uruguay claiming a 2-1 victory. 

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Portugal Focuses on Tightening Up Defense

Portugal was slow out of the gate in Thursday’s victory over Ghana, with neither side finding the back of the net during the first 45 minutes. That all changed after the break, with Cristiano Ronaldo sparking a three-goal flurry over a 15-minute stretch to hand the Portuguese the early lead atop the Group H table.

Ronaldo’s Sportsbook goal was particularly welcome considering the superstar’s recent scoring drought when suiting up for the national side. The 37-year-old had potted just two goals over his previous nine appearances in international play, with both those markers coming in a UEFA Nations League clash with Switzerland in early June. However, CR7 has been a constant threat on the big stage, potting six goals over his past six World Cup group-stage contests.

Thursday’s clash also marked the first time since Euro 2020 that Portugal surrendered more than one goal in a match. The club has managed to keep clean sheets in five of nine contests across all competitions, but on Monday they must be wary of repeating some of the occasionally sloppy play that provided Ghana with legitimate scoring opportunities to strike, particularly in the second half.

Uruguay Searching for Offensive Spark

Nothing was solved in 90 minutes in Uruguay’s tournament-Sportsbook clash with South Korea, but that certainly wasn’t due to a lack of opportunities. La Celeste generated 10 shots in Thursday’s contest, coming close by hitting the post on two occasions. However, Uruguay now prepares for Monday’s matchup facing a huge challenge to spark an inconsistent attack that has scored seven times in five outings but has also been blanked three times over that stretch.

Hemmed in by an effective Korean defense, veteran stars Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani enjoyed few chances to spark the attack. Suarez has now been held off the scoresheet in three straight appearances with the national side. Cavani has managed to score four times over his past four outings but has tallied just one goal in nine non-friendly contests since last year’s Copa America.

Complicating matters is the distraction sparked by the national side’s growing feud with FC Barcelona over their handling of injured defender Ronald Araujo. Sidelined in September by a thigh injury that required surgery, Araujo has yet to return to his La Liga club, but has joined Uruguay in Qatar, and could be poised to see action on Monday. The 21-year-old has played a key role in Barca’s climb to the top of the La Liga table as part of a defensive corps that has allowed just five games in 14 league matches, and his return would certainly bolster a Uruguayan rearguard that will be heavily tested by Portugal.

Portugal vs Uruguay Game Prop: Portugal to Record Shutout Win

Shocked by Ghana’s offensive outburst after the break in Thursday’s opener, look for Portugal to settle down defensively in Monday’s date with Uruguay. The Portuguese have regularly blanked opponents in non-friendly competitions, keeping clean sheets in seven of their past 13 non-friendlies. And considering both the grudge they have to settle with Uruguay, and La Celeste’s recent offensive woes, Portugal offers value as a +210 bet at Sportsbook to claim a shutout win on Monday.

Portugal: Keys to Win

After engaging in a gunslinging duel with Ghana over the final 45 minutes of Thursday’s matchday 1 contest, Portugal must focus on tightening up their defense against an Uruguayan attack that still sports a formidable arsenal despite their recent woes. The club has also seen 10 different players find the back of the net over their past six outings, a trend that must continue if they are to set themselves up for a deep run through the knockout stage.

Uruguay: Keys to Win

Frustrated by a ferocious Korean defense that allowed just one shot on target, Uruguay must find a way to create time and space for its biggest strikers, who were largely invisible during their draw with South Korea. That could mean a return to action for Giorgian De Arrascaeta. The midfielder enjoyed a breakthrough during World Cup qualifying, scoring a team-high five goals, but spent Thursday’s date with Korea on the sidelines despite claiming to be fully recovered from a recent injury.

World Cup Computer Pick: Portugal -101

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Shark Bites
  • Uruguay has kept clean sheets in 4 of its last 5 non-friendlies.
  • Portugal is undefeated in 6 straight World Cup group-stage matches.
  • Portugal is 5-0-2 in its past 7 matches in all competitions.
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