Portugal are widely considered one of the World Cup favorites who received one of the most favorable group-stage draws in the tournament. In Group K, the Portuguese face Colombia, Uzbekistan, and DR Congo. Apart from Colombia, currently ranked 13th in the FIFA rankings, the other two teams are viewed as underdogs. Portugal themselves sit comfortably inside the FIFA Top 5, with a squad valued at over €1 billion according to Transfermarkt.
In their opening match, Portugal take on DR Congo, arguably the weakest team in the group on paper. Portugal arrive in excellent form, having won all three of their pre-World Cup friendlies while scoring exactly two goals in each match. DR Congo, meanwhile, have managed only one victory in regular time across their last five matches. Most recently, they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Chile, a nation that failed to qualify for the World Cup.
One particularly impressive statistic is Portugal’s current streak of 12 consecutive matches with a positive corner differential. In nine of those matches, Roberto Martínez’s side also covered the Asian corner handicap.
On the other side, DR Congo are not a team that struggles to generate corners. Across their last five matches, they have averaged approximately 4.5 corners per game. With the total corner line set at 9.5, the Over appears to be an attractive option.
Prediction: Portugal to win the corner handicap & Over corners (Full Match)
First-Half Corner Kick Prediction
Statistics from DR Congo’s last ten matches show that the African side average more than 2.5 first-half corners per game.
Portugal, meanwhile, possess several dangerous wide players and consistently create attacking pressure from the flanks. Over their last six matches, Portugal have averaged more than four first-half corners per game before the halftime whistle.
Given the attacking profiles of both teams and their ability to earn corners early, the first-half Over market looks promising.
Prediction: Portugal to win the first-half corner handicap & Over first-half corners
Team News
Portugal
- Portugal have no significant injury concerns ahead of the match.
- Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to lead the attack at 41 years of age, making his 229th appearance for the national team and competing in his sixth FIFA World Cup.
- No major surprises are anticipated in the starting lineup.
DR Congo
DR Congo’s squad includes several players currently competing in Europe’s top leagues, such as:
- Aaron Wan-Bissaka
- Axel Tuanzebe
- Chancel Mbemba
- Arthur Masuaku
- Noah Sadiki
- Charles Pickel
- Cédric Bakambu
- Yoane Wissa
Probable Lineups
Portugal
Diogo Costa; João Cancelo, Rúben Dias, Gonçalo Inácio, Nuno Mendes; João Neves, Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha; Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pedro Neto.
DR Congo
Mpasi; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Kapuadi, Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba, Arthur Masuaku; Samuel Moutoussamy, Noah Sadiki, Mukau; Yoane Wissa, Cédric Bakambu.
Head-to-Head Record
Portugal and DR Congo have never met before in an official international match.
Betting Tips Summary
Full Match Corners
- Portugal to win the corner handicap
- Over total corners
First-Half Corners
- Portugal to win the first-half corner handicap
- Over first-half corners
Portugal’s sustained dominance in corner statistics, combined with DR Congo’s ability to contribute a reasonable number of corners themselves, makes the Over corner market and Portugal corner handicap attractive selections for this World Cup opener.