Portugal v Switzerland predictions: European rivals can put on a show in last 16

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Portugal v Switzerland in the World Cup last 16 on Tuesday.

Where to watch

ITV, 7pm Tuesday

Best bet

Both teams to score
2pts 21-20 Hills

These teams had one win apiece in this year's Nations League meetings and Switzerland should trouble a Portugal defence who conceded twice in their Group H games against Ghana and South Korea.

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Match preview

Switzerland beat world champions France in the last 16 of Euro 2020, winning on penalties after a dramatic 3-3 draw, and there should be more entertainment when the Swiss take on Portugal at the same stage of the World Cup.

The final tie of the round of 16 is an intriguing all-European clash between a Portugal side who have not looked entirely convincing despite winning Group H and the Swiss, who secured qualification as Group G runners-up thanks to an eventful 3-2 win over Serbia.

The last-16 rivals are no strangers having faced each other twice in the Nations League this year. Portugal eased to a 4-0 win in their first meeting but lost the return fixture 1-0, conceding a first-minute goal to Haris Seferovic and failing to find the net with any of their 20 attempts at goal.

Portugal have the edge in terms of class, with Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes and Manchester City's Bernardo Silva at the heart of their possession-based approach, and Cristiano Ronaldo and the impressive Joao Felix up front.

However, they had some frantic moments during the group-stage campaign, beating Ghana 3-2 after a goalless first 64 minutes and letting slip a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 to South Korea on matchday three.

Fernando Santos made six changes to his starting 11 for that game, with qualification assured, but his options have been limited by injuries to Nuno Mendes, Danilo Pereira and Otavio, and Switzerland should be confident of landing a blow on the Portuguese defence.

The Swiss had to work hard for a 1-0 win over Cameroon before going down by the same scoreline against Brazil, who needed a late Casemiro goal to take the points.

They were 1-0 up, 2-1 down and then 3-2 up in the first 48 minutes of their final group fixture against Serbia and kept their heads, just about, to secure the win, finishing with four yellow cards to their increasingly frazzled opponents' seven.

There is plenty of major-tournament experience in the Swiss squad and they are unlikely to be overawed by the occasion so backing both teams to score at odds-against is tempting.

It has copped in seven of Portugal's last nine matches at World Cup finals and in four of Switzerland's five games at last year's Euros, where they drew 1-1 with Spain in the quarter-finals before losing on penalties.

They signed off their Nations League campaign with 2-1 victories over Spain and the Czech Republic in September and Portugal's patchy performances in Group H should encourage a bold approach from the Swiss.

Key stat

Both teams have scored in seven of Portugal's last nine World Cup matches.

Team news

Portugal
Nuno Mendes (thigh) has been ruled out of the tournament. Danilo Pereira (fractured rib) misses the last-16 clash and Otavio is a doubt.

Switzerland
Goalkeeper Yann Sommer is doubtful after missing the final group game due to illness. Gregor Kobel will deputise again if Sommer does not recover.

Probable teams

Portugal (4-3-1-2) Costa; Dalot, Pepe, Dias, Cancelo; B Silva, Neves, Carvalho; Fernandes; Felix, Ronaldo

Switzerland (4-2-3-1) Sommer; Widmer, Akanji, Schar, Rodriguez; Freuler, Xhaka; Shaqiri, Sow, Vargas; Embolo

Inside info

Portugal

Top scorer in probable team Cristiano Ronaldo
Star player Cristiano Ronaldo
Penalty taker Cristiano Ronaldo
Assist ace Bruno Fernandes
Set-piece aerial threat Cristiano Ronaldo
Card magnet Bruno Fernandes

Switzerland

Top scorer in probable team Xherdan Shaqiri
Star player Granit Xhaka
Penalty taker Ricardo Rodriguez
Assist ace Xherdan Shaqiri
Set-piece aerial threat Manuel Akanji
Card magnet Granit Xhaka