Portugal is already through to the next round of the World Cup and needs just a point against South Korea to guarantee they finish top of Group H.

With two wins from two, things have gone pretty well for Portugal and they’ll fancy their chances against a South Korean side who have struggled at both ends of the field this winter.

South Korea needs a win here to have any hopes of qualifying, but they also need Ghana to drop points. They could find themselves in a goal-difference battle against either Ghana or Uruguay, so the goals need to flow.

South Korea Team News

The main absentee for South Korea will be manager and former Portugal international player Paulo Bento, who was sent off after the final whistle against Ghana for protesting referee Anthony Taylor’s decision to blow the whistle.

South Korea predicted lineup vs Portugal

South Korea Starting 11 (4-2-3-1): Kim S-G; Kim M-H, Kim M-J, Kim Y-G, Kim J-S; Hwang I-B, Jung; Lee K-I, Na, Son H-M; Cho G-S

Bench: Jo, Song B-K, Cho Y-M, Kwon K-W, Hong, Yoon, Kim T-H, Son J-H, Paik, Lee J-S, Kwon C-H, Jeong, Song M-K, Hwang U-J, Hwang H-C

Portugal Team News

With the hard work done, Portugal can afford to ease up a bit and rest a number of their key starters, safe in the knowledge that the backup brigade should still be good enough to get the job done here.

The main injury concern is at left-back, where Nuno Mendes picked up a problem in the first half against Uruguay. He was in tears as he limped off, and even if he miraculously recovers in time, he’s unlikely to be risked anyway.

Danilo Pereira and Otavio are both unavailable.

Portugal predicted lineup vs South Korea

Portugal Starting 11 (4-2-3-1): Sa; Dalot, Silva, Dias, Guerreiro; Palhinha, Carvalho; Silva, Felix, Leao; Ronaldo

Bench: Patricio, Costa, Pepe, Cancelo, Neves, Nunes, Vitinha, Mario, Fernandes, Horta, Ramos, Silva

South Korea vs Portugal Score Prediction

South Korea needs a win but also needs to score plenty of goals to boost their goal difference, which isn’t a task they look up to after they played the first 135 minutes of the tournament without managing a shot on target. They have to go for it, which could leave them vulnerable at the back.

Son Heung-min and co. can cause problems – just ask Ghana – but finding a way through against Portugal is an entirely different issue and even a second-string Portugal side will be full of confidence heading into this one.

Even if Portugal takes their foot off the pedal somewhat, they should still stroll to a win here.

First-half result prediction: Portugal

Bet on Portugal to score against South Korea, the first goal of the encounter, and win the first half of the match. The Portuguese are a hard nut to track. They are well-stocked defensively and have been consistent performers in top global football tournaments. Even though they won the group already, they will not disappoint in this match.

Team to score prediction: BTTS

The second possible outcome in this clash is goals on both ends of the pitch. South Koreans have had some good runs lately. They played 15 games in 2022 before the WC, losing only three of them. The team still has a chance to qualify for the 1/8 finals and they need to score goals in this match.

Correct score prediction: 2-1 to Portugal

Defeating Portugal in a previous encounter, which happened to be a World Cup encounter at home in 2002 was a sweet victory. This clash with Portugal, the second in the history of the teams, should be another chance, albeit a win will be hard to come by. Bet on Portugal to win 2-1 in this 2022 World Cup clash with South Korea.

Prediction: South Korea 0-3 Portugal