Portugal vs Croatia Predicted Lineups and Team News for World Cup

Portugal and Croatia meet at BMO Field in Toronto in a high-stakes World Cup Round of 32 tie, with both nations coming through their groups in solid shape. Portugal finished 2nd in Group K with 5 points from 3 matches, scoring 6 and conceding just 1, while Croatia also claimed 2nd in Group L, collecting 6 points with 5 goals scored and 5 conceded. With knockout football now underway, every selection decision becomes magnified, and the focus naturally turns to the predicted lineups and how each coach will approach this clash.

Portugal arrive unbeaten, with a group-stage form line of DWD, reflecting a side that has been difficult to beat and generally dominant at both ends of the pitch. Croatia’s LWW pattern shows they recovered strongly after an opening setback, but their goal difference of 0 underlines a more open, higher-variance style. Given the historical head-to-head edge Portugal hold and their defensive numbers in this tournament, the expected starting lineup from Roberto Martínez’s side will be closely scrutinised by fans and bettors alike.

With no official team sheets released yet, this pre-match analysis focuses on predicted lineups built from the confirmed World Cup squads, form data and tactical tendencies. Both teams have the quality to progress deep into the tournament, and the Round of 32 draw has produced one of the standout ties, where a single selection tweak in midfield or attack could tilt the balance.

Portugal Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Portugal’s group campaign has been defined by control and balance. They took 5 points from 3 matches, scoring an average of 2 goals per game while allowing just 0.3. Their form string of DWD suggests a side that starts tournaments with caution but carries enough attacking power to break opponents down. There are no reported injury or suspension issues in the available data for this fixture, so Martínez should have his full 26-man squad at his disposal.

No significant absences reported. That allows Portugal to maintain their preferred attacking-minded shape, underpinned by a strong defensive base. Expect an approach built on a compact back line, two controlling midfielders and a fluid band of creators behind the central striker. With knockout pressure high, Portugal are likely to lean on experience and technical security, especially in central areas, while still giving their wide attackers licence to attack Croatia’s back line.

Portugal Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: Diogo Costa
DF: João Cancelo, Diogo Dalot, Rúben Dias, Nuno Mendes
MF: Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, Rúben Neves
FW: Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Leão

This predicted lineup blends Portugal’s established core with their most dynamic attacking options. Diogo Costa is the clear choice in goal, supported by a back four of João Cancelo, Diogo Dalot, Rúben Dias and Nuno Mendes that offers both defensive solidity and strong progression from wide areas. Cancelo and Mendes, in particular, are expected to push high to pin Croatia’s wing-backs or full-backs, stretching the pitch and providing crossing lanes for Cristiano Ronaldo.

In midfield, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha and Rúben Neves give Portugal a technically elite engine room. Rúben Neves and Vitinha can dictate tempo from deeper zones, recycling possession and switching play, while Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes operate between the lines, connecting midfield to attack and arriving late in the box. Even without explicit top-scorer or assist stats listed, these four are the natural creative hub of the side and are expected to dominate the ball.

Up front, Cristiano Ronaldo remains the focal point in the predicted starting lineup, leading the line and attacking crosses and cut-backs. Rafael Leão is expected to start off the left, providing pace, dribbling and direct penetration against Croatia’s right side. The combination of Leão’s one‑v‑one threat and Ronaldo’s penalty‑box presence gives Portugal multiple ways to create chances, whether in transition or against a settled Croatian block.

Croatia Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Croatia arrive in the Round of 32 after a mixed but ultimately successful group stage, finishing 2nd in Group L with 6 points from 3 matches and a form line of WWL in chronological order (“WWL” in standings is recorded as LWW, with the oldest result first). They have scored 5 and conceded 5, highlighting both their attacking capability and some defensive vulnerability. As with Portugal, there are no listed injuries or suspensions for this match in the available data.

No significant absences reported. That gives Croatia boss Zlatko Dalić flexibility to choose between a more conservative back four or a shape that morphs into a back three, as seen in their tournament lineups so far. With lineups today expected to reflect knockout caution, Croatia may prioritise control in midfield through experienced technicians while keeping enough firepower in the front line to exploit any Portuguese mistakes.

Croatia Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: D. Livakovic
DF: J. Gvardiol, D. Caleta-Car, J. Sutalo, I. Perisic
MF: L. Modric, M. Kovacic, Mario Pasalic, N. Vlasic
FW: A. Kramaric, A. Budimir

D. Livakovic is the expected starter in goal, given his experience and status as Croatia’s long‑time number one. In defence, a back line of Joško Gvardiol, Duje Caleta-Car, Josip Sutalo and Ivan Perisic offers a blend of physicality and ball‑playing quality. Gvardiol’s versatility allows Croatia to shift between a back four and a back three in possession, with Perisic providing width and delivery from the left, even though he is listed as a defender in this squad.

Midfield remains Croatia’s traditional strength. Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic are expected to orchestrate play from central zones, controlling tempo and helping Croatia play through Portugal’s press. Mario Pasalic and Nikola Vlasic add vertical runs and shooting threat from advanced midfield roles, arriving into the box to support the forwards. Even without explicit top-scorer or assist numbers in the data, this quartet carries a clear creative and goal threat profile.

Up front, Andrej Kramaric and Ante Budimir are the logical choices in the predicted lineup. Kramaric, listed as a midfielder, often operates as a second striker or drifting forward, linking play and exploiting half-spaces. Budimir provides a penalty‑area reference point and aerial presence, key for attacking crosses from Perisic or Vlasic. Together, they give Croatia a balanced front line capable of combining short and direct play against Portugal’s back four.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

With no injuries or suspensions listed for either side, both managers can approach this Round of 32 tie with their full squads available. That significantly raises the tactical ceiling of the game: instead of patching holes, Portugal and Croatia can focus on optimal structures and in‑game adjustments, with strong options on the bench to change the rhythm if required.

Portugal Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Croatia Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

This contest is likely to be defined by the midfield battle and how each side manages transitions. Portugal, who have conceded just 1 goal in 3 World Cup matches, will lean on their compact defensive block and high technical level in midfield to control territory. With Rúben Dias anchoring the back line and Rúben Neves and Vitinha screening in front, Portugal are well equipped to limit space between the lines for Modric and Kovacic. On the ball, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes can pull Croatia’s midfield out of shape with rotations and positional interchange, creating pockets for Ronaldo and Leão to exploit.

Croatia, whose tournament form shows 5 goals scored but also 5 conceded, will need to balance their natural desire to dominate possession with greater defensive stability. Their ability to shift Gvardiol wide or into a back three, plus the work rate of Perisic and Vlasic, will be crucial in dealing with Portugal’s wide overloads. In attack, Croatia will look to Modric’s passing range and Kovacic’s ball-carrying to break Portugal’s first line of pressure, then use Kramaric’s movement between the lines and Budimir’s presence in the box to create chances. Set pieces could also be a key battleground, with both teams boasting aerial threats in Dias, Caleta-Car, Sutalo and Budimir.

Match Prediction and Verdict

Stats suggest a finely balanced knockout tie, but with a slight edge towards Portugal. The prediction model gives Portugal a 45% chance to win in regular time, the draw also at 45%, and Croatia at 10%. The overall comparison indices lean towards Portugal as well, with an overall comparison index of 66.5 versus 33.5 for Croatia, and a Poisson index of 84 versus 16. Portugal’s defensive index is particularly strong, at 83 compared to Croatia’s 17, underlining their solidity at the back.

The betting markets broadly agree with that tilt. Across major bookmakers, Portugal’s odds to win range from 1.73 to 1.81, implying a win probability of roughly 55–58%. The draw sits between 3.12 and 3.66 (around 27–32%), while Croatia are priced between 4.15 and 5.24 (about 19–24%). With both the prediction model and the odds pointing to Portugal or draw as the most likely outcomes, and given Portugal’s stronger defensive record and slightly deeper bench in attacking areas, Portugal are marginal favourites to edge a tight, tactical game.

Predicted Outcome: Portugal 1–0 Croatia

How to Watch Portugal vs Croatia Worldwide

Here is how you can watch the match and see the official lineups today live:

• Spain: To be confirmed by local broadcasters closer to kick-off
• UK: To be confirmed by domestic rights holders
• USA / North America: To be confirmed by regional sports networks and streaming platforms
• South America: To be confirmed by national broadcasters in each country
• MENA: To be confirmed by regional satellite and streaming providers