Portugal vs DR Congo Predictions & Betting Tips - Portugal to Make a Winning Start at the 2026 World Cup
Portugal face DR Congo in their Group L opener for the 2026 World Cup, with high expectations on Cristiano Ronaldo and red-hot Bruno Fernandes. Portugal go into the match as clear favourites, buoyed by strong recent form—winning 15 of their past 20 games and boasting eight clean sheets in their last nine. DR Congo, who qualified through tough African playoffs, are expected to sit deep and defend. Experts tip Portugal to win to nil, with Fernandes likely to be the game changer. Tune in for live streaming and expert betting guides!
- Portugal start the 2026 World Cup with all the focus on Cristiano Ronaldo
- Bruno Fernandes has scored 4 goals in his previous 5 internationals
- I am backing the playmaker to fire the Seleção to victory over DR Congo
Portugal are short priced favourites here but DR Congo could prove difficult to break down. Bruno Fernandes is in fantastic form and backed to fire the Seleção to victory in Houston.
HTH - First Clash
This will be the first encounter between Portugal and DR Congo.
Portugal Form - Ronaldo Without a Goal in Three
Portugal thrashed Armenia 9-1 in their final World Cup qualifier to take top spot in Group F, three points ahead of Republic of Ireland. Joao Neves and Bruno Fernandes bagged hat-tricks in Porto, the result never in doubt.
The Seleção met two World Cup co-hosts in March, a 0-0 draw against Mexico at Estadio Azteca followed by a 2-0 victory over the United States in Atlanta.
Roberto Martinez’s side played two friendlies at home before heading to the World Cup. Gonçalo Guedes and Bruno Fernandes scored in a 2-1 win against Chile, Pedro Neto and Francisco Conceição on target in a 2-1 victory over Nigeria.
Portugal Team News, Squad & Predicted Line Up
| Pos | Player | Age | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Diogo Costa | 26 | Porto |
| GK | José Sá | 33 | Wolverhampton |
| GK | Rui Silva | 32 | Sporting CP |
| DF | Rúben Dias | 29 | Manchester City |
| DF | João Cancelo | 32 | Barcelona |
| DF | Nélson Semedo | 32 | Fenerbahce |
| DF | Nuno Mendes | 23 | Paris Saint-Germain |
| DF | Diogo Dalot | 27 | Manchester United |
| DF | Gonçalo Inácio | 24 | Sporting CP |
| DF | Matheus Nunes | 27 | Manchester City |
| DF | Renato Veiga | 22 | Villarreal |
| DF | Tomás Araújo | 24 | Benfica |
| MF | Bernardo Silva | 31 | Manchester City |
| MF | Bruno Fernandes | 31 | Manchester United |
| MF | Rúben Neves | 29 | Al-Hilal |
| MF | Vitinha | 26 | Paris Saint-Germain |
| MF | João Neves | 21 | Paris Saint-Germain |
| MF | Samú Costa | 25 | Mallorca |
| FW | Cristiano Ronaldo | 41 | Al-Nassr |
| FW | João Félix | 26 | Al-Nassr |
| FW | Rafael Leão | 27 | Milan |
| FW | Gonçalo Guedes | 29 | Real Sociedad |
| FW | Gonçalo Ramos | 24 | Paris Saint-Germain |
| FW | Pedro Neto | 26 | Chelsea |
| FW | Francisco Trincão | 26 | Sporting CP |
| FW | Francisco Conceição | 23 | Juventus |
Antonio Silva, Mateus Fernandes, Ricardo Horta, Pedro Gonçalves and Paulinho all missed out after featuring in the March friendlies.
Renato Veiga competes with Gonçalo Inácio for a spot in central defence. Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 143 goals in 228 internationals which includes eight goals at the World Cup.
Portugal (4-2-3-1): Diogo Costa; João Cancelo, Rúben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, João Neves; Francisco Conceição, Bruno Fernandes, Pedro Neto; Cristiano Ronaldo
DR Congo Form - Leopards Keeping it Tight
Congo qualified for the World Cup the hard way, getting past two tough opponents in the CAF play-offs. They beat Cameroon 1-0 before a penalty shootout victory over Nigeria.
The Leopards went to the Africa Cup of Nations, easing into the Round of 16 are an unbeaten group stage that featured a 1-1 draw against Senegal. They conceded in the 119th minute against Algeria, going down 1-0 and exiting the tournament.
Sébastien Desabre's side played two friendlies this month, starting with a deserved 0-0 draw against Denmark. Joris Kayembe scored late in a 2-1 defeat to Chile, a game with few chances.
DR Congo Team News, Squad & Predicted Line Up
| Pos | Player | Age | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Lionel Mpasi | 31 | Le Havre |
| GK | Timothy Fayulu | 26 | Noah |
| GK | Matthieu Epolo | 21 | Standard Liege |
| DF | Aaron Wan-Bissaka | 28 | West Ham |
| DF | Steve Kapuadi | 28 | Widzew Lodz |
| DF | Axel Tuanzebe | 28 | Burnley |
| DF | Dylan Batubinsika | 30 | AEL |
| DF | Joris Kayembe | 31 | Genk |
| DF | Chancel Mbemba | 31 | Lille |
| DF | Gedeon Kalulu | 28 | Aris Limassol |
| DF | Arthur Masuaku | 32 | Lens |
| MF | Ngal'ayel Mukau | 21 | Lille |
| MF | Nathanael Mbuku | 24 | Montpellier |
| MF | Samuel Moutoussamy | 29 | Atromitos |
| MF | Brian Cipenga | 28 | Castellon |
| MF | Theo Bongonda | 30 | Spartak Moscow |
| MF | Gael Kakuta | 34 | AEL |
| MF | Noah Sadiki | 21 | Sunderland |
| MF | Aaron Tshibola | 31 | Kilmarnock |
| MF | Charles Pickel | 29 | Espanyol |
| MF | Edo Kayembe | 28 | Watford |
| FW | Meschak Elia | 28 | Alanyaspor |
| FW | Cedric Bakambu | 35 | Betis |
| FW | Fiston Mayele | 31 | Pyramids |
| FW | Yoane Wissa | 29 | Newcastle |
| FW | Simon Banza | 29 | Al Jazira |
Hibernian defender Rocky Bushiri withdrew from the squad and was replaced by Aaron Tshibola.
Cedric Bakambu leads the way with 21 international goals. He could be in direct competition for a starting spot with Yoane Wissa who has nine goals in 38 appearances.
DR Congo (4-3-3):Lionel Mpasi-Nzau; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba, Joris Kayembe; Noah Sadiki, Ngal'ayel Mukau, Samuel Moutoussamy; Theo Bongonda, Cedric Bakambu, Nathanael Mbuku
Verdict
DR Congo don’t create many chances and could sit deep here and focus on counter attacking. I am backing Portugal to win to nil in Houston where Bruno Fernandes can find the net.
Portugal
Win To Nil
@20/21 - 3 Units
£30 Free Bet
Use promo code NEWBONUS
Claim £30 free bet & 20 Free Spins. Use the promo code NEWBONUS. New Hollywoodbets account holders. 18 years or older. United Kingdom residents only. T&Cs apply.
Bruno Fernandes
Anytime Goalscorer
@9/5 - 2 Units
Bet £10 Get £30
with bonus code NEWBONUS
Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. #ad
Bruno Fernandes
First Goalscorer
@11/2 - 1 Unit
Bet £20 Get £10
Use promo code NEWBONUS
18+ New customers only. Bet £20 (or more) EVS (2.0) or greater Get 2 x £5 Free Bets. 1 x £5 Free Bet paid automatically & following £5 Free Bet after 24hrs. Min Free Bet odds 4/1 (5.0) on accumulators Trebles & upwards. Expires after 24hrs. Full T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org
Related
Top Betting Sites
Betting offers
Upcoming Events
04 April 2026
23 May 2026
- LPL 2026 Split 2 Playoffs -
- Esports
- LCS 2026 Spring Playoffs -
- Esports
28 May 2026
- CDL 2026 Stage 4 Major Qualifiers -
- Esports
Load More
Sports Tips Starts in
Today's Acca Tips
-
Soccer tips
-
Horse Racing tips
-
Tennis tips
