Portugal vs Spain Bet Builder: 7/1 four-legged Bet

Our Spanish-based Football expert got the assignment for the big game on Monday Bet Builder wise and has sorted out a four-legged bet that pays out at just under 15/2 at the time of publication.

Here you can check out his Portugal vs Spain Bet Builder for the 8PM kick-off on BBC One on Monday night...

*Remember you can choose your own predictions and check out all the live World Cup Odds on our betting markets over on betfred.com.

Spain to win (90 mins) 

Neither of these Iberian rivals exactly set the world on fire in the group stage. Aside from an impressive first half against Saudi Arabia, Spain's football felt like a regression to the days before their run to Euro 2024 glory. They drew their opening game 0-0 against Cape Verde, and their final match may well have gone the same way were it not for a goalkeeping error from Uruguay's Fernando Muslera. 

Meanwhile, Portugal deservedly finished second to Colombia in Group K. Their star-studded midfield was surprisingly ineffective when the two sides clashed on matchday three. Doubts over Cristiano Ronaldo's role in the team at the age of 41 also grew, with the legendary forward only having an impact in an easy win over Uzbekistan. 

Both sides headed into the knockout stage knowing they needed to produce much more. Spain certainly delivered on that, with an impressive 3-0 victory over Austria. They played with an intensity that was often lacking in the first phase, dominating the match from start to finish. 

If they can find that level again in Dallas, it's going to be very difficult for Portugal. In the last round, Roberto Martínez's side looked vulnerable again. They allowed four big chances across the 90 minutes against a Croatian team that is well past its peak. They are not performing well enough to suggest they'll trouble a Spanish outfit that hasn't been beaten in regulation time in competitive football since March 2023. 

Álex Baena to score or assist (Sub Switch) 

Heading into the knockout stage, much of the talk surrounding Spain centred on Lamine Yamal and his battle for full fitness. The teenager is unquestionably key to La Roja's chances of winning this competition, but the majority of their best play against Austria came on the opposite side of the pitch. 

Between them, left-back Marc Cucurella and winger Álex Baena created all three goals. Baena finished the contest with five key passes, three more than Yamal. With Nico Williams still struggling with an injury, the Atlético Madrid man appears to have played his way into Luis de la Fuente's starting lineup. 

Baena endured a frustrating first season at the Estadio Metropolitano. However, he's certainly not the first creative player to struggle to adapt to Diego Simeone's methods. The 24-year-old developed a reputation as La Liga's assist king prior to his big transfer in the summer of 2025, with 23 assists across his final two league campaigns for Villarreal. 

Having also scored in the final group game against Uruguay, Baena should be feeling confident. Portugal look relatively weak defensively at right-back, with João Cancelo and Nélson Semedo competing for a starting role. 

With so much of their focus likely to be centred around stopping Yamal on the other flank, Baena could profit again. He looks good to register a goal or an assist in this game. 

Diogo Costa 4+ saves 

Portugal have needed their goalkeeper Diogo Costa to step up on a number of occasions already at this tournament. He'll likely be a busy man once more in this all-Iberian affair in Texas. 

While some of the pre-tournament favourites are yet to have been truly tested, Portugal have already had to come through two difficult matches. Costa made six saves against Colombia and a further five against Croatia last time out. 

He's not getting enough protection from his defence, while despite the quality they boast in the centre of the pitch, Martínez's team haven't been dominant in that department either. That's unlikely to change against a classy Spanish midfield that features both Pedri and Rodri. 

Yamal is always eager to shoot from range and La Roja hit the target on 10 occasions against Austria last time out. That suggests Costa is worth backing to make at least four saves once more in this game. 

Mikel Oyarzabal 2+ shots on target (Sub Switch) 

Spain's player of the tournament so far has surely been Mikel Oyarzabal. With four goals in four games, the Real Sociedad man has built on the impressive form he has shown for his national side over the past 18 months. The 29-year-old also averaged a goal per game during qualifying. 

While he has often been used out wide or as a deeper forward at club level, Oyarzabal's current role for Spain is very much to stay centrally and poach goals. He has done that effectively, scoring 50% of his team's goals at this World Cup so far. 

Oyarzabal's average of 4.3 shots per game at this competition is also the highest in the Spanish squad. He had six attempts against Austria in the round of 32, hitting the target with four of them. 

Portugal have needed to face 37 shots across their last two matches alone. That's an alarming statistic at such an early stage in the competition for a team that started out with genuine aspirations of going all the way. It suggests Spain will pose plenty of problems throughout this game, and I'm backing Oyarzabal to hit the target on at least two occasions. 

*You can check out all of the live World Cup Odds across all of our markets over on betfred.com