On Matchday 1 in the World Cup, teams are in experimentation mode, testing tactics to see what works and what doesn’t. By Matchday 3, some groups are settled while some teams play with desperation. Matchday 2 is the most pivotal; it sets the tone for Matchday 3, and teams expect to be stronger than they performed in their openers.
Portugal and Uzbekistan are both desperate entering today’s 1 p.m. ET (12 p.m. local) matchup in Houston. The Seleçao das Quinas drew their opener to DR Congo, and the White Wolves lost to Colombia, so both need at least a point to secure advancement.
Both teams’ lineups are now set. Roberto Martínez has announced the 11 men who will represent Portugal, while Fabio Cannavaro has done the same for Uzbekistan.
Portugal is a -700 favorite to take all three points at DraftKings Sportsbook, and Uzbekistan is +1800. There are +750 odds that the teams will draw.
Full Lineups
Portugal (4-3-3)
Diogo Costa; Nuno Mendes, Renato Veiga, Ruben Dias, João Cancelo; Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, João Neves; João Felix, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pedro Neto
Uzbekistan (5-4-1)
Abduvohid Nematov; Sherzod Nasrullaev, Rustam Ashurmatov, Abdulla Abdullaev, Abdukodir Khusanov, Behruzjon Karimov; Azizjon Ganiev, Odiljon Xamrobekov, Otabek Shukurov, Abbosbek Fayzullayev; Eldor Shomurodov
