Portugal vs Uzbekistan: prediction & betting odds 23 June 2026

Form and Line-up Portugal

Portugal unexpectedly dropped points in their opening match against DR Congo. Roberto Martinez's team looked a little heavy after a packed club season, in which many of the leaders represented English side Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain and fought through to the latter stages of prestigious tournaments. Nevertheless, the medical staff confirmed that there were no injuries, and all players are fully ready to take the field. Cristiano Ronaldo received one of the lowest ratings in the team and is eager to make amends for a subdued first match, so changes in the attacking line are unlikely.

Key numbers:

• In the first round, Portugal made 783 passes, showing total control of the ball (75%).

• Joao Neves scored his first goal at a World Cup with an accurate header.

• Ronaldo did not have a single shot on target (three off target) in the opening game of the group stage, although he recorded 0.46 xG, which made up a significant part of the team's total 0.65 xG.

Probable line-up (4-2-3-1): Diogo Costa — Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Renato Veiga, Diogo Dalot — Vitinha, Joao Neves – Pedro Neto, Bruno Fernandes, Francisco Conceicao — Cristiano Ronaldo

Form and Line-up Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan left a colossal amount of energy in their opening match, losing 1:3 to Colombia. Fabio Cannavaro's team showed a clear imbalance between the lines: while they acted boldly in attack (1.16 xG), they regularly collapsed defensively (four goalscoring chances for the opponent) because of a lack of experience at this level. The defenders often allowed opponents to run in behind and could not cope with the tempo. Uzbekistan did not hold on to the draw after Abbosbek Fayzullaev's goal around the hour mark: five minutes later, the Coffee Growers went back in front. In the 77th minute, one of the three centre-backs, Rustamjon Ashurmatov, left the pitch: there were problems with his calf muscle. There is still no final information on him.

Key numbers:

• In the opening round, Uzbekistan had eight shots at the opponent's goal, hitting the target twice.

• Abbosbek Fayzullaev scored his national team's first historic goal at World Cups, finishing on the rebound in the 60th minute.

• Defender Abdukodir Khusanov earned the team's only yellow card in the first match after committing three fouls.

Probable line-up (3-4-3): Utkir Yusupov — Abdukodir Khusanov, Jahongir Urozov, Abdulla Abdullayev — Bekhruz Karimov, Akmal Mozgovoy, Otabek Shukurov, Farrukh Sayfiyev — Abbosbek Fayzullaev, Eldor Shomurodov, Oston Urunov

Absentees: Jaloliddin Masharipov (injury), Rustamjon Ashurmatov (doubtful)

Who will referee the match 

Jalal Jayed (Marruecos)  

Matches – 13 (International matches, 2025 - 2026);

Average fouls per match – 29;

Average yellow/red cards per match (including second yellows) – 3,5;

Matches with a straight red card – 1 out of 13;

Matches with a penalty – 5 out of 13.