In a Group H stage match, South Korea (0 win, 1 losses, 1 draw) and Portugal (2-0-0) meet Friday at Education City Stadium at 10 a.m. ET (FOX/Telemundo). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the South Korea vs. Portugal odds, and make our best World Cup bets, picks and predictions.
South Korea still has a chance for advancement to the Round of 16, but it needs to win Friday and an Uruguay win or draw vs. Ghana. Then, it all depends upon goal differential. F Cho Gue-Sung is the unsung hero for the Koreans, posting a pair of goals through 2 matches.
Portugal picked up a 3-2 win over Ghana in its opener, before posting a 2-0 victory against Uruguay Monday. As such, Portugal is through to the Round of 16, so that might open the door for South Korea to grab a much-needed 3 points.
M Bruno Fernandes has been a one-man wrecking crew, going for 2 goals and 4 points through 2 matches. He is a huge part of Portugal’s success, and he could be subbed out early to preserve him for the knockout stages as this match is essentially meaningless for Portugal.
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South Korea vs. Portugal odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 3:30 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: South Korea +340 (bet $100 to win $340) | Portugal -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Draw +310
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Prediction
South Korea 1, Portugal 0
Moneyline (ML)
SOUTH KOREA (+340) is in a similar spot as Tunisia was against France Wednesday. The Eagles won 1-0 against Les Bleus, a team that had already clinched a spot in the Round of 16, and was rather disinterested in a meaningless match.
It’s a good spot to be in for the Taegeuk Warriors, as they need to win to stay alive in this tournament. South Korea would likely be quite overmatched if Portugal was also playing for something, but will instead get an unmotivated Portuguese side.
Over/Under (O/U)
The UNDER 2.5 (-110) is the play here. Portugal won’t be pushing the tempo, although South Korea will be trying its hardest to find the back of the net. However, so far it’s been Gue-Sung scoring all of the goals, and no other secondary or tertiary options to help him out. Look for that to continue.
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