← World Cup hub
WORLD CUP 2026 · Wednesday, 17 June 2026 at 18:00 BST
Portugal
1 – 1
Congo DR

Match preview

Portugal are clear favourites on ratings, with the model at 69%. Only a poor recent run (four-from-five) gives Congo DR a way in.

69%
Portugal
15%
Draw
16%
Congo DR
Model fair odds
Portugal
1.45
Draw
6.67
Congo DR
6.25

Decimal fair odds from the model probabilities before bookmaker margin.

Portugal
69%
Draw
15%
Congo DR
16%
Elo rating: 2019 vs 1734 (+285)
Recent form: DWDWW vs LWLDL
Host advantage: Neutral venue
Model verdict: 69% / 15% / 16%
Most likely scores
Portugal 2–0 (16%)
Portugal 1–0 (15%)
Portugal 3–0 (11%)
Draw 1–1 (8%)
Why Portugal are favourites (69%)
  • Portugal carry the higher Elo rating (+285 points)
  • Neutral venue — no home advantage applied
  • Portugal unbeaten and winning in their last five (3W 2D)
  • Congo DR mixed recent form (1W 1D 3L)
  • Head-to-head treated as neutral — too few recent meetings to weigh (10% of the blend)

These factors combine to produce the 69% / 15% / 16% verdict above.

Expected match pattern

Portugal are expected to control possession and territory, while Congo DR will likely rely on defensive organisation and counter-attacks — a setup their recent results suggest they may struggle to sustain. An early Portugal goal would force Congo DR to open up, raising the chance of a multi-goal result; the longer it stays level, the more pressure shifts onto the favourites.

Expected goals: Portugal 2.1 · Congo DR 0.5

Quick stats

MetricPortugalCongo DR
Elo rating20191734
Last 5 record3W 2D1W 1D 3L
Goals last 5106
Goals conceded last 537
Clean sheets last 520

Portugal — last 5

  • D@ Colombia00
  • Wv Uzbekistan50
  • Dv Congo DR11
  • Wv Nigeria21
  • Wv Chile21

Congo DR — last 5

  • L@ England12
  • Wv Uzbekistan31
  • L@ Colombia01
  • D@ Portugal11
  • Lv Chile12

Head to head

17 Jun 2026
Portugal
11
Congo DR

Confirmed lineups

Portugal · 4-2-3-1
  1. 1D. Costa G
  2. 20J. Cancelo D
  3. 4T. Araujo D
  4. 13R. Veiga D
  5. 25N. Mendes D
  6. 15J. Neves M
  7. 23Vitinha M
  8. 10B. Silva M
  9. 8B. Fernandes M
  10. 18P. Neto M
  11. 7C. Ronaldo F
Congo DR · 5-3-2
  1. 1L. Mpasi-Nzau G
  2. 2A. Wan-Bissaka D
  3. 22C. Mbemba D
  4. 4A. Tuanzebe D
  5. 3S. Kapuadi D
  6. 26A. Masuaku D
  7. 6N. Mukau M
  8. 8S. Moutoussamy M
  9. 25E. Kayembe M
  10. 20Y. Wissa F
  11. 17C. Bakambu F

Key matchups

C. Ronaldo vs A. Tuanzebe

Portugal's focal point in attack against the heart of Congo DR's defence.

B. Silva vs S. Moutoussamy

The central-midfield battle most likely to decide who controls possession and territory.

Y. Wissa vs T. Araujo

Congo DR's main outlet — how Portugal's central defence handles him shapes the counter-attack threat.

Predictions are model output, not betting advice. The model blends an Elo rating, last-5 form and host advantage; ratings update after every tournament result, and fair odds and likely scorelines are derived from the same blend. Bet responsibly — 18+. See PuntHub for verified tipster services.