PORTUGAL will be hoping to maintain their 100 per cent record ahead of the World Cup knockout stages when they face South Korea.
Cristiano Ronaldo is dreaming that what is expected to be his final ever World Cup will be the crowning glory for one of the greatest players ever.
South Korea have it all to do – even a win might not be enough if Ghana beat Uruguay.
They will be hoping Portugal boss Fernando Santos chooses to rotate his squad before the last 16 game.
And the sight of Ronaldo on the bench could be the boost Korea are looking for.
SunSport takes a look at what to expect from South Korea vs Portugal including our score prediction.
How are they getting on?
South Korea: The first game was a drab 0-0 draw with Uruguay that has ultimately left both teams with a mountain to climb to qualify.
Their second game was real heartbreak. Korea fought from 2-0 down to level things up against Ghana – but Mohammed Kudos bagged the Ghana winner seven minutes later.
Read the full South Korea vs Ghana report here…
Portugal: It’s been an exciting start by Portugal, who beat Ghana 3-2 in their opener in a thriller.
And what looked like a tricky game on paper against Uruguay was anything but, as Bruno Fernandes scored twice.
Read the full Portugal vs Uruguay report here…
Any injuries to worry about?
South Korea: Hee-Chan Hwang will miss the crunch clash with a thigh injury.
Son will be expected to carry on playing in a face mask to protect his injured cheekbone.
Portugal: Boss Santos has revealed that star man Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t train with the rest of the squad and he is likely to miss this final group game.
Danilo Pereira and Nuno Mendes are also ruled out with injury.
Who to watch
South Korea: Unsurprisingly Korea will be looking to Son Heung-min to unlock the Portuguese defence.
He is yet to score, and although Cho Gue-sung bagged both goals in the Ghana defeat, this HAS to be Son’s chance to shine.
Portugal: Santos could yet shuffle his pack despite being eager to continue their 100 per cent record.
But Bruno Fernandes should start as he eyes winning this winter’s World Cup golden boot.
Permutations
Portugal will guarantee top spot in the group with a win or a draw.
For Korea to progress, they must win the game and hope Uruguay beat Ghana – but then it will come down to goal difference between those two potential victors.
Korea currently have a better goal difference by ONE – so it could be a nail-biting conclusion.
What’s the head-to-head?
These two have played against each other just once.
That came all the way back at the 2002 World Cup, with Korea winning their Group D clash 1-0.
Korea’s manager Paulo Bento featured for Portugal in that game.
Odds
South Korea 10/3
Portugal 3/4
Draw 3/1
SunSport prediction
With Korea needing to win to progress, we expect goals in this game.
But Portugal will be eager for maximum points in the group and should just sneak it.
South Korea 1 Portugal 2
