Can a stubborn Iran sucker-punch Portugal?
ROUND 3 of the group-stage matches at World Cup 2018 are upon us and I hope you're ready for four consecutive days with four matches each and every day! It's squeaky bum time for many countries, and this evening Iran and Portugal face-off in a tasty looking Group B encounter.
Iran 🇮🇷
The Iranians come into this game buoyed by an impressive performance against a star-studded Spain side and in a strong position to cause a major upset. After bagging 3 points in their opening match against Morocco with a goal at the death, they went into their match against Spain with it all to play for. It could all have been so different were it not for an offside goal and several other chances that went begging. That said, Iran did not pose a major threat going forward and their defence may have a few more holes in it given the need for them to attack tonight and go for the 3 points. In an interesting subplot to tonight's game, Iran are managed by the former Portugal boss Carlos Queiroz - and if anyone knows how to nullify the threat posed by Cristiano Ronaldo, surely its him.
Predicted Iran Starting XI: Beiranvand, Rezaeian, Pouraliganji, Hosseini, Hajsafi, Ezatolahi, Ebrahimi, Amiri, Ansarifard, Taremi, Azmoun
Portugal 🇵🇹
The Euro 2016 Champions have bagged 4 points in Russia and sit joint top of Group B with Spain, but they've not really looked like a cohesive unit so far at this tournament. Yes, they do have Cristiano Ronaldo to rely on for goals and attacking thrust and he showed that he can carry them against Spain, but I'm not convinced that he can carry the national side on his own for the duration of a tournament. Tonight all the Portuguese need is a draw to confirm their passage to the knock-out stages, but against a stubborn Iran side who defend as a unit and who'll be gunning for major scalp I suspect it may be more difficult for them than many predict. The Portuguese defence looked decidedly shaky against Morocco in the second game, and I expect Iran to apply some serious pressure to it tonight.
Predicted Portugal Starting XI: Patricio, Soares, Pepe, Fonte, Guerreiro, Moutinho, Carvalho, B. Silva, Mario, Ronaldo, A. Silva
My Betting Tip 💷
I've not been overly impressed with Portugal at this tournament, aside from that scintillating performance from their star-man CR7 against the Spanish. I expect the Iranians to go all-out against them and to retain the defensive solidity they've shown. For Iran to bag a victory and progress to the knock-out stages would be unprecedented, but at odds of 11/2 with Betfair I think they're good value given what they've done in the tournament so far.
Post bet chat :
Almost, almost. The Iranians ran the Portuguese very close with a 93rd minute equalising penalty after Ricardo Quaresma's late first-half wonder goal. In a game full of VAR controversy, winger Mehdi Taremi could have won it with a chance in the fourth minute of stoppage time, but his shot hit the side-netting.