-Bet-Online.jpg)
Russia couldn't had asked for a dreamier start to its Confederations Cup at home. The team picked up three points against New Zealand, while both Mexico and Portugal held each other to a draw. It's going to be an uphill battle from here to get into the knockout rounds of the tournament, but with any result against Portugal, the Russians will suddenly be favored to ultimately advance. Three points, and they're through to safety.
At 11 a.m. ET, tune into FOX Sports 1 for live television coverage of this Confederations Cup match on Wednesday, June 21, 2017, at Otkrytiye Arena in Moscow.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Russia +300
Portugal +100
Draw +225
Over/Under 2.5
Odds Analysis
Russia is basically a 50/50 shot to secure at least a point from this battle. The Portuguese almost have to be the odds-on favorites to win this match even though they're on the road and facing what will surely be a hostile crowd in Moscow. They're easily one of the best teams in the world and one of the top sides in this tourney, and they're unlucky not to have three points in their ledger as well.
Portugal is set at +100 on the moneyline alongside a total of 2.5 with -140 vig on the under. Don't be surprised if this total dips to a flat 2 by the time we get to kickoff.
How They Got Here
Russia wasn't always the better team against New Zealand in its opening match in the Confederations Cup, but it got the job done, no less. A ton of pressure just outside of the opening half hour of the affair resulted in an own goal to kick off the tourney, while Fyodor Smolov picked up the first goal scored by a Russian to double the tally. There were threats by the Kiwis from that point forward, but there was never a point that a neutral would have truly thought that this result was going to be anything but three points for the hosts.
The same can't be said about the second match in Group between Portugal and Mexico. A Seleccao will be kicking themselves for not putting the Mexicans away. Portugal had leads of 1-0 and 2-1 go by the wayside, the second of which was ended in the cruelest of fashions. After Cedric Soares' goal in the 86th minute that appeared to win it for Portugal, Mexico came back and tallied a minute into stoppage time courtesy of Hector Moreno.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
Portugal had better get its act together in the back if it wants to avoid an embarrassment here in this fixture. The team was all over the place with Mexico in possession for the mass majority of the match, and the equalizer in the dying stages of the game really felt like it was apt.
The good news for the Portuguese is that they have the best player on the pitch in Cristiano Ronaldo. CR7 didn't score against Mexico, but he had one disallowed and was instrumental in both of the team's scores over the course of the match.
There's a good chance that CR7 gets on the stat sheet in this one against the hosts, but we have a hunch Russia is going to be able to strike back. There is a particular spirit to this Russian team, even playing without Artem Dzyuba that is likeable. All three of Smolov, Denis Glushakov and Aleksandr Golovin were on point against New Zealand, and if these three can frustrate the Portuguese defense as was the case in the opening match, the hosts could yet steal their point and be on the verge of something special.
Confederations Cup Odds: Russia 1, Portugal 1
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
