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Portugal vs Uzbekistan Predictions & Betting Tips - Portugal to Get Back on Track at the 2026 World Cup

matthew-marshall
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Last updated: Fri 19 Jun 2026 06:31
Portugal, having drawn 1-1 against DR Congo, enter their 2026 World Cup Group L clash with Uzbekistan needing a win to get back on track. The Seleção are clear favorites, with experts backing Bruno Fernandes to score and Portugal to secure a comfortable ‘win to nil’ result. Uzbekistan struggled in their opener against Colombia and are expected to take a defensive approach. Key stats favor Portugal, who are undefeated in nine, while Uzbekistan remain underdogs. Bruno Fernandes is strongly tipped to find the net in this crucial match.
Matthew Marshall 19 Jun 2026
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  • Portugal started the World Cup with a 1-1 draw against DR Congo
  • The pressure is on the Seleção who are one of the favourites
  • I am backing Roberto Martinez’s side to bounce back against Uzbekistan
Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes has scored in 2 of his last 4 matches for club and country (Getty)

Portugal were short priced favourites against DR Congo but struggled to break the African side down. Uzbekistan are the weakest team in this group, Bruno Fernandes to fire the Seleção to victory in Houston.

HTH


Portugal will be facing Uzbekistan for the first time.

Portugal Under Pressure


Portugal played two friendlies at home this month, starting with a 2-1 win against Chile thanks to goals from Gonçalo Guedes and Bruno Fernandes.

Pedro Neto and Francisco Conceição were on target in Leiria, a 2-1 victory over Nigeria.

The Seleção started the World Cup with a 1-1 draw against DR Congo. It was looking good after João Neves opened the scoring in the 6th minute, but they couldn’t go on with the job despite ending with 75% possession.

Team News, Squad & Predicted Line Up


Rúben Dias missed out against Congo but should be back in central defence. Nuno Mendes might not be risked after picking up a knock.

Roberto Martinez will surely make some changes with Francisco Conceição in prime position to start in place of Bernardo Silva.

PosPlayerAgeClub
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 24 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 25 Paris Saint-Germain
FW Pedro Neto 26 Chelsea
FW Francisco Trincão 26 Sporting CP
FW Francisco Conceição 23 Juventus

Portugal (4-2-3-1): Diogo Costa; Nélson Semedo, Rúben Dias, Gonçalo Inácio, João Cancelo; Vitinha, João Neves; Francisco Conceição, Bruno Fernandes, Pedro Neto; Cristiano Ronaldo

Uzbekistan World Cup Debutants


Uzbekistan competed in two friendlies this month, a 2-0 loss against Canada and a 2-1 defeat to the Netherlands.

The White Wolves suffered a 3-1 defeat to Colombia in their first match at a World Cup. Abbosbek Fayzullaev equalised in the 60th minute but they were trailing again five minutes later and couldn’t find a way back.

Fabio Cannavaro’s side ended the contest with 39% possession and two shots on target, a trend that may continue against Portugal.

Team News, Squad & Predicted Line Up


Odiljon Hamrobekov is a chance to come into midfield for Akmal Mozgovoy. Abdulla Abdullaev’s position in central defence could be under threat.

Sherzod Nasrullaev and Oston Urunov were hooked at half-time against Colombia with Farrukh Sayfiev and Dostonbek Khamdamov set to start.

PosPlayerAgeClub
GK Utkir Yusupov 35 Navbahor Namangan
GK Abduvohid Nematov 25 Nasaf
GK Botirali Ergashev 30 Neftchi Fergana
DF Abdukodir Khusanov 22 Manchester City
DF Khojiakbar Alijonov 29 Pakhtakor
DF Farrukh Sayfiev 35 Neftchi Fergana
DF Rustam Ashurmatov 29 Esteghlal
DF Sherzod Nasrullaev 27 Pakhtakor
DF Umar Eshmurodov 33 Nasaf
DF Abdulla Abdullaev 28 Dibba
DF Bekhruz Karimov 18 Surkhon Termiz
DF Avazbek Ulmasaliev 26 AGMK
DF Jakhongir Urozov 22 Dinamo Samarqand
MF Akmal Mozgovoy 27 Pakhtakor
MF Otabek Shukurov 30 Baniyas
MF Jamshid Iskanderov 32 Neftchi Fergana
MF Odiljon Hamrobekov 30 Tractor
MF Jaloliddin Masharipov 32 Esteghlal
MF Oston Urunov 25 Persepolis
MF Dostonbek Khamdamov 29 Pakhtakor
MF Azizjon Ganiev 28 Al Bataeh
MF Abbosbek Fayzullaev 22 Istanbul Basaksehir
MF Sherzod Esanov 23 Bukhara
FW Eldor Shomurodov 30 Istanbul Basaksehir
FW Azizbek Amonov 28 Dinamo Samarqand
FW Igor Sergeev 33 Persepolis

Uzbekistan (3-4-3): Utkir Yusupov; Abdukodir Khusanov, Abdulla Abdullaev, Rustam Ashurmatov; Bekhruz Karimov, Odiljon Hamrobekov, Otabek Shukurov, Farrukh Sayfiev; Abbosbek Fayzullaev, Eldor Shomurodov, Dostonbek Khamdamov

Verdict

Portugal are under pressure after failing to beat DR Congo and Uzbekistan represent a great chance to regain some confidence. I am backing Bruno Fernandes to find the net in a comfortable victory.

Best Bet1: Portugal Win To Nil @4/5 at Hollywood bets - 4 Units
Best Bet2: Bruno Fernandes Anytime Goalscorer @8/5 at bet365 - 2 Units
Best Bet3: Bruno Fernandes First Goalscorer @11/2 at Star Sports - 1 Unit
Portugal
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Anytime Goalscorer
@8/5 - 2 Units
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Bet at bet365
Bruno Fernandes
First Goalscorer
@11/2 - 1 Unit
Bet £20 Get £10
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