Uzbekistan vs Colombia Bet Builder Tips: Diaz and Shomurodov feature in 5/1 pick

Colombia should be one of the standout performers of this summer’s FIFA World Cup, but then that has been said before. They begin their 2026 assault in Group K on Wednesday night at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City against tournament debutants Uzbekistan (8pm local, 3am Thursday BST, live on BBC One).

Los Cafeteros will be backed to at least get out of their group, but that must start with a comfortable win over the White Wolves. Here, I have selected a 5.51/1 four-fold for my Uzbekistan vs Colombia Bet Builder tips.

Uzbekistan vs Colombia Odds

Half-Time/Full-Time - Colombia/Colombia

With little value attached to the very understandable 2/5 price about a Colombia win, I’m siding with them to get an early lead on their way to victory.

In five of their seven qualifications win, Los Cafeteros led at the break. And against Uzbekistan they are facing a side ranked lower than six of the nine opponents they face in the CONMEBOL preliminaries.

Player to Score (Sub Switch) - Luis Diaz

If Colombia are to make it deep in this tournament, it feels like Bayern Munich’s Luis Diaz has to be in great form.

Against Uzbekistan, he has no excuses not to be a constant danger. With that trademark pace and poise, his ability to have the ball stick to his feet as defenders backpedal should be of great importance in the Group K opener.

So I fancy a goal from the former Liverpool man, and with Sub Switch there is the fallback of having his replacement in our corner if he is replaced before full-time.

Player 2+ Shots on Target (Sub Switch) - Luis Diaz

To continue that point, Diaz will surely be a constant issue for the Uzbek defenders.

I’ve plumped for 2+ Shots on Target having initially considered 4+ Shots as an option. This feels like the safer bet, and with a touch of value given Diaz’s ability to work the keeper.

Player 2+ Shots (Sub Switch) - Eldor Shomurodov

It might seem from what I’ve said so far that I expect Colombia to be camped in the opposition half for 90 minutes, but that’s not quite how I think this one will go.

Uzbekistan have a few dangers of their own, and in the forward line they have captain Eldor Shomurodov.

So good was his form for Istanbul Basaksehir over the 2025/26 season that they made his loan move from Roma permanent. His 22 goals in 34 league games was a great return, and he sent in a total of 95 shots at 2.93 per game.

While he may not get the same level of surface for his underdog nation in this fixture, don’t be surprised to see him trying to work the goalkeeper whenever he can.

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