Portugal vs Croatia Bet Builder Tips: 22/1 pick for tense encounter

| Thursday 2nd July 2026, 16:00

Thursday 2nd July 2026, 16:00

Portugal are looking to kickstart their World Cup, but they face a tough test in the last 32 as they come up against Croatia.

This one comes to us from Toronto (Thursday 7pm local, Friday 12am BST, BBC One), and below you can find my Portugal vs Croatia Bet Builder Tips.

Portugal vs Croatia Bet Builder Tips

Draw after 90 minutes
Cristiano Ronaldo 4+ shots (Sub Switch)
Ante Budimir to get booked (Sub Switch)

Bet Builder pays 22/1

*odds correct at time of publishing

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Draw after 90 minutes

As you can tell from this Bet Builder, I’ve no idea who will win this tie. Portugal have failed to impress so far at this World Cup, drawing two of their three group games and losing top spot to Colombia.

Having said that, they have the best midfield in the tournament on paper, the best left back in the world and also Cristiano Ronaldo up front. Croatia are so tough to beat in major tournaments, only losing to England in their group, while they reached the semis of the 2022 World Cup having won two penalty shootouts, against Brazil and Japan.

That means they love a draw and extra-time, so I think that’s the best pick here.

Sub Switch

Pre-Match Bet Builder & Single bets on qualifying Player selections. Selected leagues & markets only. Applies to Price Boosts & Turbo Boosts. Extra-time will count. T&Cs Apply.

Sub Switch

Pre-Match Bet Builder & Single bets on qualifying Player selections. Selected leagues & markets only. Applies to Price Boosts & Turbo Boosts. Extra-time will count. T&Cs Apply.

Portugal vs Croatia Odds

Cristiano Ronaldo 4+ shots (Sub Switch)

Old faithful. Backing 41-year-old Ronaldo to have a lot of shots in a World Cup is like taking candy from a baby. Even in a terrible display against Colombia, where Portugal were dominated for long periods of time, he managed three attempts, having had seven against Uzbekistan and three against DR Congo.

With the other big stars producing on the big stage, Ronaldo is still yet to score a World Cup knockout goal. Whether he will get it or not is another question, but he will definitely try. A lot. Ronaldo to have four or more shots, is the second leg of this Bet Builder.

Ante Budimir to get booked (Sub Switch)

I think there is some value in backing a scrappy encounter in Toronto, and Croatia are always up for the fight. I want to back one of their players to pick up a yellow, and think the value comes from their experienced front man Ante Budimir.

He is likely to get involved in a tussle, as he made three fouls against Ghana without getting booked. He didn’t start the first two games, but came in to start the crucial final game against Ghana so I think he will get the nod here. If he does start, he is likely to make a few fouls and I think that will see him pick up a yellow card within 90 minutes.

He’s likely to get subbed at some point, but with Betfred's Sub Switch offer, your bet rolls to the oncoming substitute, so you stay in the game, even when your player doesn’t.

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22/1

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Odds correct at time of publishing.