Portugal vs Croatia Prediction & Betting Tips - World Cup
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by Sridhar Bhamidi | in World Cup Predictions
Portugal need to step up their game to have any chance of progressing in the 2026 World Cup as they come against defending third-place finishers Croatia. This is the newly added last 32 round of this World Cup, and the winner of this game between the ‘Selecao’ and the ‘Blazers’ goes on to play either Spain or Austria in the last 16 round. It’s difficult to separate these sides on recent form, but will that be the case in Toronto?
An unbeaten, yet unconvincing, run in the group stages saw Portugal finish second in Group K and book their spot here. A big positive for them is a run of five wins and a draw in six previous competitive games against Croatia.
Bouncing back from a matchday one loss to England, Croatia finished second in Group L with consecutive wins. They haven’t blazed their way through, but the Croatians are known to channel their resources to edge opponents. Can they repeat that trick against Portugal? We dig deep to provide you with our match predictions and team news.
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Portugal v Croatia Best Betting Odds
| Bookmaker | 1 | X | 2 | Bonus up to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1.79 | 3.45 | 4.8 |
|
|
1.82 | 3.65 | 5.19 |
|
|
1.72 | 3.56 | 5.2 |
|
|
1.72 | 3.56 | 5.2 |
|
|
1.82 | 3.65 | 5.19 |
|
What is the prediction for the football match between Portugal and Croatia?
Our prediction for the Portugal vs Croatia match is: BTTS.
Probabilities according to our algorithm* of possible 1X2 football predictions and best odds for the match on 02/07/2026 between Portugal and Croatia in World Cup :
- The Sportytrader ⭐ algorithm estimates a probability of 50.29% for a win of Portugal against Croatia with odds of 1.85 at Betsson.
- The probability according to Sportytrader ⭐ for a draw between Portugal vs Croatia is 25.74% with odds of 3.71 at 888Starz.
- Our prediction model gives a 23.98% chance ⭐ for a win of Croatia vs Portugal with odds of 5.4 at 888Starz.
Portugal vs Croatia Form
Portugal and Croatia Last Matches
4/6 (67%)
2/6 (33%)
0/6 (0%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
27 Jun 2026 - World Cup
23 Jun 2026 - World Cup
17 Jun 2026 - World Cup
10 Jun 2026 - International Friendlies
6 Jun 2026 - International Friendlies
31 Mar 2026 - International Friendlies
4/6 (67%)
2/6 (33%)
0/6 (0%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
23 Jun 2026 - World Cup
17 Jun 2026 - World Cup
10 Jun 2026 - International Friendlies
6 Jun 2026 - International Friendlies
16 Nov 2025 - World Cup
14 Oct 2025 - World Cup
3/6 (50%)
2/6 (33%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
27 Jun 2026 - World Cup
31 Mar 2026 - International Friendlies
28 Mar 2026 - International Friendlies
13 Nov 2025 - World Cup
9 Sept 2025 - World Cup
6 Sept 2025 - World Cup
3/6 (50%)
0/6 (0%)
3/6 (50%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
27 Jun 2026 - World Cup
23 Jun 2026 - World Cup
17 Jun 2026 - World Cup
7 Jun 2026 - International Friendlies
2 Jun 2026 - International Friendlies
31 Mar 2026 - International Friendlies
5/6 (83%)
0/6 (0%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
27 Jun 2026 - World Cup
7 Jun 2026 - International Friendlies
2 Jun 2026 - International Friendlies
26 Mar 2026 - International Friendlies
14 Nov 2025 - World Cup
12 Oct 2025 - World Cup
3/6 (50%)
1/6 (17%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
23 Jun 2026 - World Cup
17 Jun 2026 - World Cup
31 Mar 2026 - International Friendlies
17 Nov 2025 - World Cup
9 Oct 2025 - World Cup
5 Sept 2025 - World Cup
Portugal vs Croatia Stats: Head to Head (H2H)
50 %
33 %
17 %
Average stats (last H2H results)
18 Nov 2024 - UEFA Nations League
5 Sept 2024 - UEFA Nations League
8 Jun 2024 - International Friendlies
17 Nov 2020 - UEFA Nations League
5 Sept 2020 - UEFA Nations League
6 Sept 2018 - International Friendlies
Portugal - Croatia: Form Analysis
A drab 0-0 draw against Colombia on matchday three kept Portugal unbeaten (W1, D2) in Group K but finished second behind the South Americans. While they conceded just one goal, the ‘Selecao’ didn’t dominate any of the games, scoring five of their six goals against Uzbekistan.
The results still keep them undefeated in eight matches (W5, D3) as they come into the knockouts. They are now in line to make it four games unbeaten in a row in a single World Cup campaign for just the third time. That said, Portugal’s lack of scoring intent could be a concern.
Portugal won seven of their 10 matches against Croatia (D2, L1).
Croatia edged out Ghana 2-1 on matchday three for a second consecutive win and finished second in Group L (W2, L1). This is the fourth time that the Croats have made it to the knockouts of a World Cup and the third time in a row.
The ‘Blazers’ have won seven of their last ten matches (L3), while the three defeats have come against Brazil, Belgium, and England on matchday one. If they win here, Croatia will be posting three consecutive World Cup wins for the first time since 2018.
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Portugal vs Croatia last Lineups
Formation : 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Formation : 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Substitutes
J. Sa
R. Silva
DefenderS. Costa
G. Inacio
T. Araujo
N. Semedo
D. Dalot
MidfielderJ. Neves
M. Nunes
B. Silva
ForwardF. Conceicao
G. Guedes
R. Leao
G. Ramos
F. Trincao
I. Pandur
D. Kotarski
DefenderL. Vuskovic
D. Caleta-Car
M. Erlic
K. Jakic
J. Gvardiol
MidfielderN. Moro
T. Fruk
L. Sucic
M. Pasalic
ForwardA. Kramaric
P. Musa
M. Pasalic
I. Matanovic
Portugal & Croatia Squad Analysis
Portugal have no major injury concerns, and even Ruben Dias has come out unscathed after missing the first group game. Cristiano Ronaldo’s game time could be a problem, although he played all three group stage games.
The 'Seleção' are expected to line up in their traditional 4-2-3-1 formation with Ronaldo as the sole striker. Bruno Fernandes hasn’t impressed in the no. 10 role, but that may not warrant a recall for Bernardo Silva, as he needs to be accommodated on the wings and make further adjustments to the XI.
Portugal had just 12 shots on target in this campaign.
Croatia are also at full strength with no major injury absences. Their lack of goals is a concern, though, as none of their players scored multiple goals in this tournament.
The 4-2-3-1 formation is likely to be used again, but it remains to be seen who will line up front. Ante Budimir and Petar Musa have identical records (one goal in 111 minutes of action) and have been guilty of wasting chances.
Most goals and assists
Portugal
Croatia
Cristiano Ronaldo
(2 Goals)
P. Musa
(1 Goals)
,
M. Baturina
(1 Goals)
,
A. Budimir
(1 Goals)
,
N. Vlasic
(1 Goals)
,
P. Sucic
(1 Goals)
P. Neto
(1 Assists)
,
J. Cancelo
(1 Assists)
,
B. Fernandes
(1 Assists)
I. Perisic
(1 Assists)
,
P. Sucic
(1 Assists)
,
J. Stanisic
(1 Assists)
,
L. Modric
(1 Assists)
,
M. Kovacic
(1 Assists)
Portugal - Croatia Key Points
- Portugal scored in five of their last six matches.
- The last six matches between Portugal and Croatia saw both teams score goals.
- Seven of Croatia’s last nine matches saw both teams score goals.
- Five of Croatia’s last seven World Cup matches saw BTTS during regulation time.
- Seven of Croatia’s last eight knockout matches in the World Cup have seen both teams score goals.
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Our Portugal vs Croatia Prediction
This is one of the standout fixtures of this round, as two European powerhouses look to progress at the expense of the other. Portugal have made it to the knockouts for the third edition in a row but have struggled to assert itself in the group stages of this tournament. Croatia have finished in the top three in the last two editions and come here on the back of consecutive wins after threatening England in the opening game.
This fixture has historically produced goals, so our Portugal vs Croatia prediction is BTTS.
Portugal vs Croatia Alternative Predictions
Draw
Five of Croatia’s last eight knockout matches spread across the last two World Cup editions ended in a draw within 90 minutes. Going by the quality at disposal in this match from both teams, it’s difficult to separate them. Back a draw during regulation time.
Use £/€50 free bets for the Portugal vs. Croatia game!
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Portugal vs Croatia - FAQs
The Portugal vs Croatia World Cup match will be shown live on RTP, SIC, TVI, LiveModeTV, and Sport TV in Portugal. In Croatia, HRT are the official broadcasters. In the UK, STV (Central and Northern Scotland), BBC, and ITV are the official broadcasters.
You can follow the game through our live scores. Check out our World Cup Livescore page!
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
