Iran vs Portugal
World Cup Group B
Date: Monday, 25 June 2018
Kick-Off at 19:00 UK / 20:00 CET
Venue: Mordovia Arena, Saransk.
Iran and Portugal take on each other in the direct battle for the knockout stage on Monday evening at Mordovia Arena in Saransk. The draw works out well for Selecao das Quinas following their narrow 1-0 victory over Morocco in the second round on Wednesday.
A real buzz is expected in and around Mordovia Arena as Iran and Portugal are about to lock horns in the direct battle for the knockout phase.
Can Cristiano Ronaldo continue his dream campaign at the World Cup as he comes into the game having bagged each of his team’s four goals so far in the competition?
Iran will enter the affair encouraged with a strong display against one of the main title contenders Spain.
- World Cup 2018 Group Stage: Who needs what to qualify?
Iran vs Portugal Match Preview
Iran pushed one of the event favourites so close on Wednesday evening. They showed a huge determination in spite of conceding a rather odd goal from Diego Costa ten minutes into the second half. The Asian hopefuls, who have not lost a single competitive affair ever since the previous edition of the World Cup, went on to equalize later in the game, but Saeid Ezatolahi’s goal was disallowed for an offside position.
Team Melli created a host of other goal-scoring chances against the European heavyweights, the one which saw Olympiacos’ Karim Ansarifard fire just into side net with a lashed volley being the most lethal of all. Iran still have the opportunity to fix things up on Monday when they take on Portugal.
However, the tradition does not speak in their favour ahead of the decisive fixture against the European champions. Iran lost as many as six and drew just one of last seven clashes against the European opposition at the World Cup. Interestingly, Iran did not manage a single shot on goal in the clash with Spain, the first such contest in last 14 World Cup outings for them.
Iran vs Portugal Team News and Predicted Line-ups
Iran Team News
- Eredivisie top scorer Alireza Jahanbakhsh only came on from the bench against Spain.
- He should be fit enough to make the starting line-up against Portugal.
- Saeid Ezatolahi made a huge impact as a defensive midfielder after skipping the opening tie with Morocco.
- Carlos Queiroz should not make changes other than introducing Jahanbakhsh compared to the clash with La Furia Roja.
Iran Predicted Starting Eleven (4-1-4-1)
Beiranvand – Rezaeian, Pouraliganji, Cheshmi, Hajisafi – Ezatolahi – Jahanbakhsh, Ebrahimi, Amiri, Ansarifard – Azmoun.
Portugal Team News
- Cristiano Ronaldo continued his Russian fairy-tale on Monday scoring his fourth World Cup goal in two matches.
- Real Madrid superstar notched each of last five goals for his national outfit at World Cups.
- Fernando Santos made only one change for the second-round affair with Morocco.
- Joao Mario came on instead of Bruno Fernandes, but the Sporting Lisbon midfielder could regain his place in the starting XI here.
- Guedes are Ronaldo will lead the line in a 4-4-2 formation with Quaresma once again likely to start from the bench.
Portugal Predicted Starting Eleven (4-4-2)
Rui Patricio – Soares, Pepe, Fonte, Guerreiro –Bernardo Silva, Joao Moutinho, William Carvalho, Bruno Fernandes – Cristiano Ronaldo, Guedes.
Iran vs Portugal Head-to-head
Iran and Portugal are about to cross each other’s paths for the second time over the course of history. The lone previous meeting took place at the World Cup in Germany back in 2006 when Selecao das Quinas took a comfortable 2-0 victory with second-half goals from Deco and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Iran vs Portugal Predictions
The statistics is heavily on Portugal’s side as the European champions have not lost a single clash against the non-European opposition since 2002 at the World Cup. They’ve won six and drawn three ever since, a streak which includes the aforementioned 2-0 victory over Iran in 2006.
Nevertheless, it will be anything but a one-way street for Fernando Santos’ men who are about to take on highly-motivated opposition who proved to have what it takes to stay competitive against the world-class outfits on Monday against Spain.
The affair has a massive importance representing the direct battle for the knockout stage which is why we expect to see a huge tension on the court, meaning you should back “Over” in the number of cards market.
There should not be a host of goal-scoring chances, meaning the Under 2.5 goals FT is our top suggestion. We will alternatively go for the value and back Iran not to lose at the 2.10 odds.
- Predicted Full-Time Result is a 1-1 draw in a very nervous affair.
Iran vs Portugal Betting Tips
-
Under 2.5 goals FT @ 1.57.
-
Iran or Draw Double Chance @ 2.10.
-
Correct FT Score: 1-1 Draw @ 7.50.
