Portugal are short priced favourites here but DR Congo could prove difficult to break down. Bruno Fernandes is in fantastic form and backed to fire the Seleção to victory in Houston.
HTH - First Clash
This will be the first encounter between Portugal and DR Congo.
Portugal Form - Ronaldo Without a Goal in Three
Portugal thrashed Armenia 9-1 in their final World Cup qualifier to take top spot in Group F, three points ahead of Republic of Ireland. Joao Neves and Bruno Fernandes bagged hat-tricks in Porto, the result never in doubt.
The Seleção met two World Cup co-hosts in March, a 0-0 draw against Mexico at Estadio Azteca followed by a 2-0 victory over the United States in Atlanta.
Roberto Martinez’s side played two friendlies at home before heading to the World Cup. Gonçalo Guedes and Bruno Fernandes scored in a 2-1 win against Chile, Pedro Neto and Francisco Conceição on target in a 2-1 victory over Nigeria.
Portugal Team News, Squad & Predicted Line Up
| Pos | Player | Age | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Diogo Costa | 26 | Porto |
| GK | José Sá | 33 | Wolverhampton |
| GK | Rui Silva | 32 | Sporting CP |
| DF | Rúben Dias | 29 | Manchester City |
| DF | João Cancelo | 32 | Barcelona |
| DF | Nélson Semedo | 32 | Fenerbahce |
| DF | Nuno Mendes | 23 | Paris Saint-Germain |
| DF | Diogo Dalot | 27 | Manchester United |
| DF | Gonçalo Inácio | 24 | Sporting CP |
| DF | Matheus Nunes | 27 | Manchester City |
| DF | Renato Veiga | 22 | Villarreal |
| DF | Tomás Araújo | 24 | Benfica |
| MF | Bernardo Silva | 31 | Manchester City |
| MF | Bruno Fernandes | 31 | Manchester United |
| MF | Rúben Neves | 29 | Al-Hilal |
| MF | Vitinha | 26 | Paris Saint-Germain |
| MF | João Neves | 21 | Paris Saint-Germain |
| MF | Samú Costa | 25 | Mallorca |
| FW | Cristiano Ronaldo | 41 | Al-Nassr |
| FW | João Félix | 26 | Al-Nassr |
| FW | Rafael Leão | 27 | Milan |
| FW | Gonçalo Guedes | 29 | Real Sociedad |
| FW | Gonçalo Ramos | 24 | Paris Saint-Germain |
| FW | Pedro Neto | 26 | Chelsea |
| FW | Francisco Trincão | 26 | Sporting CP |
| FW | Francisco Conceição | 23 | Juventus |
Antonio Silva, Mateus Fernandes, Ricardo Horta, Pedro Gonçalves and Paulinho all missed out after featuring in the March friendlies.
Renato Veiga competes with Gonçalo Inácio for a spot in central defence. Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 143 goals in 228 internationals which includes eight goals at the World Cup.
Portugal (4-2-3-1): Diogo Costa; João Cancelo, Rúben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, João Neves; Francisco Conceição, Bruno Fernandes, Pedro Neto; Cristiano Ronaldo
DR Congo Form - Leopards Keeping it Tight
Congo qualified for the World Cup the hard way, getting past two tough opponents in the CAF play-offs. They beat Cameroon 1-0 before a penalty shootout victory over Nigeria.
The Leopards went to the Africa Cup of Nations, easing into the Round of 16 are an unbeaten group stage that featured a 1-1 draw against Senegal. They conceded in the 119th minute against Algeria, going down 1-0 and exiting the tournament.
Sébastien Desabre's side edged past Jamaica in the inter-confederation playoff final to book their ticket at the World Cup. The game went to extra time, Axel Tuanzebe scoring to secure a vital 1-0 victory.
Congo played two friendlies this month, starting with a deserved 0-0 draw against Denmark. Joris Kayembe scored late in a 2-1 defeat to Chile, a game containing few chances.
DR Congo Team News, Squad & Predicted Line Up
| Pos | Player | Age | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Lionel Mpasi | 31 | Le Havre |
| GK | Timothy Fayulu | 26 | Noah |
| GK | Matthieu Epolo | 21 | Standard Liege |
| DF | Aaron Wan-Bissaka | 28 | West Ham |
| DF | Steve Kapuadi | 28 | Widzew Lodz |
| DF | Axel Tuanzebe | 28 | Burnley |
| DF | Dylan Batubinsika | 30 | AEL |
| DF | Joris Kayembe | 31 | Genk |
| DF | Chancel Mbemba | 31 | Lille |
| DF | Gedeon Kalulu | 28 | Aris Limassol |
| DF | Arthur Masuaku | 32 | Lens |
| MF | Ngal'ayel Mukau | 21 | Lille |
| MF | Nathanael Mbuku | 24 | Montpellier |
| MF | Samuel Moutoussamy | 29 | Atromitos |
| MF | Brian Cipenga | 28 | Castellon |
| MF | Theo Bongonda | 30 | Spartak Moscow |
| MF | Gael Kakuta | 34 | AEL |
| MF | Noah Sadiki | 21 | Sunderland |
| MF | Aaron Tshibola | 31 | Kilmarnock |
| MF | Charles Pickel | 29 | Espanyol |
| MF | Edo Kayembe | 28 | Watford |
| FW | Meschak Elia | 28 | Alanyaspor |
| FW | Cedric Bakambu | 35 | Betis |
| FW | Fiston Mayele | 31 | Pyramids |
| FW | Yoane Wissa | 29 | Newcastle |
| FW | Simon Banza | 29 | Al Jazira |
Hibernian defender Rocky Bushiri withdrew from the squad and was replaced by Aaron Tshibola.
Cedric Bakambu leads the way with 21 international goals. He could be in direct competition for a starting spot with Yoane Wissa who has nine goals in 38 appearances.
DR Congo (4-3-3):Lionel Mpasi-Nzau; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba, Joris Kayembe; Noah Sadiki, Ngal'ayel Mukau, Samuel Moutoussamy; Theo Bongonda, Cedric Bakambu, Nathanael Mbuku