Portugal enters its World Cup Round of 32 match against Croatia as the favorite, aiming to advance with a victory within 90 minutes. The match is scheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.
Portugal, led by stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, and Bernardo Silva, typically employs a possession-based attacking style. The team has recorded 3.77 expected goals (xG) in the tournament thus far. Croatia, conversely, seeks to control the game's tempo and counterattack. Their xG stands at 2.76 for the competition.
The midfield engagement is anticipated to be a key factor, pitting Portugal's energetic unit against Croatia's experienced squad.
Betting markets reflect Portugal's favored status, with odds of -125 for them to win in regulation time and -350 to advance. Ronaldo is listed at +110 to score, though some sharper markets offer +125. Croatia's Luka Modrić is as high as +900 to score.