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After dropping a 2-1 decision to Serbia on Nov. 14 in a match that determined first place in Group A of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification tournament, Portugal now is faced with a difficult task. The Portuguese must win games against two formidable opponents or they will fail to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar later this year for the first time since 1998. Portugal looks to take the first step when it hosts Turkey on Thursday in a 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier. The winner advances to face either Italy or North Macedonia for one of the final three European berths in the World Cup.

Kickoff at Estadio do Dragao in Porto, Portugal is set for 3:45 p.m. ET. Portugal is the -310 favorite (risk $310 to win $100) on the 90-minute money line in the latest Turkey vs. Portugal odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while Turkey is the +750 underdog. A 90-minute draw is listed at +380 and the over-under for total goals scored is 2.5. Before locking in any Portugal vs. Turkey picks or 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying predictions, you need to see what European soccer insider Martin Green has to say. 

After working in the sports betting industry for several years, Green became a professional sports writer and handicapper and has covered the game worldwide. Since then, his European soccer picks have been spot-on. Green has generated well over $37,000 for $100 bettors since the 2017-18 season, and he has his finger on the pulse of the game all over the globe.

Now, Green has taken a close look at the Turkey vs. Portugal matchup and released his picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see Green's picks. Here are the betting lines and trends for Portugal vs. Turkey:  

  • Portugal vs. Turkey spread: Portugal -1.5 (+100)
  • Portugal vs. Turkey over-under: 2.5 goals
  • Portugal vs. Turkey 90-minute money line: Portugal -310, Turkey +750, Draw +380
  • POR: Portugal allowed only six goals over its eight qualification tournament games
  • TUR: Turkey had eight different players score at least two goals in its 10 qualifying matches

Why you should back Portugal

Portugal and Turkey both finished the qualification tournament with plus-11 goal differentials, but the Turks allowed 16 tallies in their 10 matches while the Portuguese gave up only six in eight games. Portugal is hoping to take advantage of Turkey's defensive issues as it has a pair of players that is more than capable of cashing in. Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo leads Portugal with six goals while appearing in only seven of the team's eight contests and posted a pair of multi-goal performances, including one against Luxembourg on Oct. 12 in which he recorded a hat trick.

Ronaldo is tied for fourth in the English Premier League with 12 goals and registered a hat trick in his last appearance for Man United, a 3-2 triumph over Tottenham on March 12. Meanwhile, Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has registered four goals and an assist in just five matches for Portugal. The 24-year-old native of Porto is tied for second in the Premier League with 13 goals in 26 games for Liverpool and tallied in its 2-0 victory against Arsenal on March 16. 

Why you should back Turkey

The Turks do not rely on any one player to provide offense, as 13 members have accounted for their 27 goals. Leading the way is striker Burak Yilmaz, who has netted five tallies while adding a pair of assists in nine matches. The 36-year-old had his best performance in Turkey's qualifying opener, recording a hat trick in the 4-2 victory over the Netherlands.

Inter Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu has played in all 10 of Turkey's matches and scored three goals while adding five assists, which ties him for fourth in the qualification tournament. Meanwhile, Kerem Akturkoglu and Halil Dervisoglu, who are teammates with Galatasaray of Turkey's Super Lig, both have produced three goals, respectively. The 23-year-old Akturkoglu has scored in each of his last two outings for the Turks and supplied all the offense for Galatasaray in its 2-1 triumph Besiktas on March 13.

How to make Turkey vs. Portugal picks

Green has taken an in-depth look at the Portugal vs. Turkey matchup from every angle, and he is leaning under on the goal total. He also provides his three best bets, including a confident play on the winner, and has a full breakdown of the match. He's only sharing those World Cup Qualifying picks at SportsLine.

So who wins Turkey vs. Portugal? And where does all the betting value lie? Visit SportsLine now to see the best bets for Portugal vs. Turkey, all from the European soccer expert who has generated well over $37,000 for $100 bettors over the past four seasons, and find out.