World Cup 2026: Portugal vs Croatia Tips, Odds & Prediction

* Odds from Betway, correct at time of writing.

Portugal take on Croatia at BMO Field in Toronto on Friday, with kickoff at 01:00 CAT in this 2026 World Cup Round of 32 tie. Portugal qualified as Group K runners-up behind Colombia, conceding just once, while Croatia finished second in Group L behind England. This is a heavyweight knockout meeting between two experienced, tournament hardened nations. For all our World Cup betting tips, head to our dedicated section.

Portugal

Portugal came through Group K unbeaten, kicking their campaign off with a 1-1 draw against DR Congo, hammering Uzbekistan 5-0 with a Cristiano Ronaldo brace before ending the Group Stage a goalless draw with Colombia. In my opinion they have the deepest squad in this tie, with Bruno Fernandes pulling the strings and a forward line that can call on Ronaldo, Rafael Leao and Joao Felix. The concern for me is that they laboured to break down compact opponents, drawing with both Congo DR and Colombia, so patience will be important. With no fresh injury or suspension worries reported, I expect Portugal to control possession and probe for openings on their way to the last 16.

Predicted Lineup: Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha; Felix, B. Fernandes, Neto; Ronaldo.

Croatia

Croatia bounced back from an opening 4-2 defeat to England with wins over Panama and Ghana to finish second in their group. From my point of view their veteran spine of Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic is still capable of dictating the tempo, and they remain dangerous from set pieces, as the Modric corner that set up Nikola Vlasic against Ghana showed. The worry for them is at the back, where they gave up five goals in three group games, including four against England. With no suspensions to report, I expect Croatia to compete in midfield and trust their experience in a tight knockout tie.

Predicted Lineup: Livakovic; Stanisic, Pongracic, Sutalo, Perisic; Kovacic, Modric; Vlasic, Baturina, Sucic; Budimir.

This has the makings of a tight, evenly matched tie between two sides with similar profiles and questionable defences. I expect Portugal's greater attacking depth to be the difference, but Croatia carry enough quality through Modric and their set pieces to get on the scoresheet. My read on this is that Portugal sneak over the line with goals at both ends and into the last 16. My forecast: Portugal 2 Croatia 

BTTS: Yes (1.94)

I am backing both teams to score and my read on this is that neither of these leaky defences looks likely to keep a clean sheet. Portugal conceded only once in the group but Croatia carry a threat through Modric's deliveries and their attacking midfielders, while Portugal will always create chances with their forward depth. With both defences there to be exposed, I expect goals at each end.