SlipsTips shares a selection ahead of Colombia’s clash with Portugal at the World Cup on Sunday.
Colombia vs Portugal (Sunday, 00:30)
Top spot in Group K at the World Cup is up for grabs when Colombia and Portugal go head-to-head at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday.
Colombia are currently setting the pace in this section after kicking off their campaign with back-to-back wins, defeating Uzbekistan 3-1 before producing a professional display to see off DR Congo 1-0.
Portugal, on the other hand, are sitting on four points, accumulated via a 1-1 draw with DR Congo before they turned on the style to steamroll Uzbekistan 5-0 in midweek.
Roberto Martínez’s side come into this clash as firm favourites, but they’re unlikely to have things all their own way against what could prove to be a stubborn Colombia outfit.
As such, I’m going to bypass the 1×2 market and instead focus on a player-based selection that holds plenty of appeal.
Jefferson Lerma has been chalked up at 11/10 on bet365 to commit two or more fouls, and that looks well worth supporting.
The Colombian midfield enforcer should be heavily involved in the midfield battle and is likely to have plenty of defensive work to do.
Moreover, Lerma is a player who regularly catches the eye of match officials for both club and country.
That has been evident across Colombia’s opening two group games, with Lerma overstepping the mark twice against Uzbekistan before being penalised once against DR Congo last time out.
It should also be noted that the 31-year-old was guilty of no fewer than three offences in a friendly against France last month in the lead-up to the World Cup.
He is likely to be tasked with keeping close tabs on Bruno Fernandes, who has already been fouled three times across Portugal’s opening two games and was brought down twice against DR Congo.
So, with all that in mind, and given the state of play in this section, Lerma looks the value play to commit two or more fouls at 11/10 with bet365.
Recommended Bet
- Jefferson Lerma To Commit 2+ Fouls – 11/10 (bet365)
Grant Heaney, aka SlipsTips, is a Freelance Football and Darts Writer with over six years experience. Grant has written football and darts betting content for some of the biggest betting websites and newspapers in the UK. He is a Falkirk season ticket holder and avid watcher of football and darts, whether it be UK-based or further afield. You can find all of his tips on X @SlipsTips
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