World Cup last 16: Uruguay vs. Portugal team news, predictions, odds and TV channel

All eyes will be on the world-class
attacking talent on display in Sochi

Preview

On one side you have a Uruguay team featuring Luis Suarez and
Edinson Cavani while on the other Portugal have their own superstar
striker in Cristiano Ronaldo.

All three have been amongst the goals in Russia with
Cavani (one) and Suarez (two) on target in the group stages while
Portugal talisman Ronaldo has four to his name, including a World
Cup hat-trick against Spain.

If Suarez gets on the scoresheet again he will become Uruguay’s
all-time leading scorer at the World Cup, Fifa.com reports. Ronaldo’s efforts in Russia
make him the favourite to win the Golden Ball for the tournament’s best
player. 

The London Evening Standard reports that Jose Maria
Gimenez could return to the Uruguay defence while Portugal forward
Goncalo Guedes may also start.

Uruguay vs. Portugal predicted starting
XIs

How the teams could line up at the Fisht Olympic Stadium,
according to Fifa.com:

• Uruguay: Fernando Muslera; Martin Caceres, Jose Maria Gimenez,
  Diego Godin, Diego Laxalt; Nahitan Nandez, Matias Vecino, Lucas
  Torreira, Rodrigo Bentancur; Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani 
• Portugal: Rui Patricio; Cedric, Pepe, Jose Fonte, Raphael
  Guerreiro, William; Adrien Silva, Ricardo Quaresma, Joao Mario;
  Goncalo Guedes, Cristiano Ronaldo

Uruguay vs. Portugal predictions

Mark Lawrenson, BBC
Sport: “Portugal will not change the way they play, which is
quite one-dimensional and not particularly inspiring. Uruguay have
not exactly set this tournament alight with their attacking play
either, but they are more adventurous and have a few more ideas
when they come forward. Uruguay 1 Portugal 0.”

Sports Illustrated: “Uruguay have the benefit
of two world-class strikers rather than one, and they also have the
best defender of the tournament so far in Diego Godin. It could go
all the way in Sochi, but the South Americans should have just
enough to edge out the European champions. Uruguay 2 Portugal
1.”

The Daily Telegraph: “Blood, sweat and tears.
Then a very tight encounter, edged by Uruguay’s attacking prowess.
Uruguay 2 Portugal 1.”

Uruguay vs. Portugal betting odds

Best prices according to Oddschecker (as of 29 June).

• Uruguay to win: 9/5 
• Portugal to win: 7/4 
• Draw: 2/1

First goalscorer

• Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): 22/5 
• Luis Suarez (Uruguay): 9/2 
• Edinson Cavani (Uruguay): 5/1 
• No goalscorer: 11/2 
• Christian Stuani (Uruguay): 7/1 
• Andre Silva (Portugal): 7/1 
• Maximiliano Gomez (Uruguay): 15/2   
• Goncalo Guedes (Portugal): 8/1 
• Gelson Martins (Portugal): 10/1

World Cup round of 16 fixtures

• 30 June: France
  vs. Argentina at Kazan Arena, Kazan; 3pm live on
  BBC
• 30 June: Uruguay vs. Portugal at Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi;
  7pm live on ITV 
• 1 July: Spain vs. Russia at Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow; 3pm live
  on BBC
• 1 July: Croatia
  vs. Denmark at Nizhny Novgorod; 7pm live on ITV
• 2 July: Brazil vs. Mexico at Samara; 3pm live on ITV
• 2 July: Belgium vs. Japan at Rostov-on-Don; 7pm live on
  BBC
• 3 July: Sweden
  vs. Switzerland at St Petersburg; 3pm live on BBC
• 3 July: Colombia vs. England at Spartak Stadium, Moscow; 7pm
  live on ITV