Uzbekistan vs Colombia predictions and betting tips – Colombia goals and a midfield enforcer to go in the book

Colombia get their World Cup campaign going against tournament debutants Uzbekistan at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, with a 3am UK kick-off on Thursday morning, live on BBC One.

Group K is a tricky, with Portugal also in it, so both sides will see this opener as a huge chance to get points on the board early. Colombia are heavy favourites at 2/5 and it’s easy to see why. The Copa America 2024 finalists are back at the World Cup after missing Qatar and arrive in excellent attacking form.

Uzbekistan are a lovely story under 2006 World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro, but on their tournament debut against this level of opposition I’m expecting Los Cafeteros to have far too much.

• Colombia to win and over 2.5 match goals – 5/4 with Coral
• Luis Diaz to score anytime – 5/4 with BetVictor
• Richard Rios to be booked – 4/1 with bet365

Uzbekistan vs Colombia head to head overview

• Date: Thursday 18 June 2026 (Wednesday 17 June local time)
• Kick-off: 3am UK time (8pm local, Wednesday)
• Venue: Estadio Banorte (Azteca), Mexico City
• Where to watch: BBC One
• Referee: Anthony Taylor (England)
• Last meeting: They have never faced each other.
• Favourite to win: Colombia, 2/5 with bet365

Uzbekistan vs Colombia predicted lineups

• Uzbekistan expected lineup: Yusupov, Khusanov, Ashurmatov, Nasrullaev, Alijonov, Hamrobekov, Khamdamov, Fayzullaev, Masharipov, Shomurodov, Urunov
• Colombia expected lineup: Vargas, Munoz, Sanchez, Lucumi, Mojica, Lerma, Rios, James Rodriguez, Arias, Cordoba, Diaz

Uzbekistan vs Colombia predictions

Uzbekistan have made history as the first Central Asian nation to reach a World Cup, and Cannavaro deserves huge credit for guiding them through a marathon Asian qualifying campaign with just a single defeat.

They have a settled, disciplined group anchored by captain Eldor Shomurodov, who brings 92 caps and 44 goals, and Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov, but back-to-back warm-up defeats to the Netherlands and Canada underlined the gap they face against the very best.

Colombia are a different proposition. Nestor Lorenzo’s side reached the Copa America final in 2024 and they go into this in fine attacking form, having scored 5 goals in warm-up games against Jordan and Costa Rica.

The defeats to France and Croatia in March showed their defence can be opened up in transition by elite opposition, but Uzbekistan are unlikely to carry that kind of threat, and I expect Colombia to control possession and create plenty.

Uzbekistan vs Colombia betting tips

Here are my three bets for the game.

Colombia to win in style at the Azteca

The straight Colombia win at 2/5 is far too short to interest me, so I’m adding goals to get a proper price. Lorenzo’s side scored five last two warm-up games, they’re packed with attacking quality, and they’ll dominate the ball against a Uzbekistan side that will have to chase the game once they fall behind.

Uzbekistan are well-organised, but the longer Colombia probe the more likely the floodgates open, and I can see this finishing something like 3-0 or 3-1. Backing the win with over 2.5 goals attached more than triples the skinny win price and looks the standout play.

Bet on Colombia to win and over 2.5 match goals at 5/4 with Coral

Diaz to lead the Colombia charge

When you’re backing Colombia goals, you back their best attacker to be involved. Luis Diaz is the jewel in this side, a constant threat cutting in from the left, and against a debutant defence that will spend the night under pressure he should find space to hurt them.

He carries the goal threat and the big-game pedigree Uzbekistan simply cannot match, and at 5/4 for him to get on the scoresheet there’s real value in a game Colombia should control from start to finish.

Bet on Luis Diaz to score anytime at 5/4 with BetVictor

Rios to feel the heat in midfield

This is the best value for me in the game. Richard Rios is Colombia’s midfield enforcer, an all-action ball-winner who often overcommits and is not afraid of a yellow card, with “commits fouls often” listed among his defining traits.

England’s Anthony Taylor has been handed this one, an experienced Premier League official who isn’t shy of reaching for his pocket early.

In a midfield battle against an energetic Uzbekistan side roared on by a partisan Azteca crowd, Rios is exactly the type to catch Taylor’s eye with a clumsy challenge or a tactical foul to break up a counter. At 4/1 for him to be booked it looks a cracking price.

Bet on Richard Rios to be booked at 4/1 with bet365

Uzbekistan vs Colombia latest odds

Find the latest Uzbekistan vs Colombia betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

More World Cup 2026 predictions

I’ve got plenty more predictions covering World Cup 2026 and there are tips and previews for every game.

Find more predictions and betting tips from our expert punters in our match preview overview.

Important historical facts about Uzbekistan and Colombia for betting

• This is the first ever meeting between Uzbekistan and Colombia.
• Uzbekistan are the first Central Asian nation ever to qualify for a World Cup finals.
• Uzbekistan are managed by Fabio Cannavaro, who captained Italy to World Cup glory in 2006.
• Colombia are back at the World Cup after failing to qualify for Qatar 2022, and reached the Copa America final in 2024.
• Colombia scored five goals without reply across their final two warm-up wins over Jordan and Costa Rica.
• Uzbekistan lost just once across their entire Asian qualifying campaign under Cannavaro.

Colombia have the quality and the firepower to make a winning start, and I expect them to turn this into a comfortable night at the Azteca.

About the author

Dave Potter

Dave Potter is the founder of GYTO and has a huge following on X. Dave Potter studies the form and provides daily horse racing tips and football predictions.

Find Dave’s on GYTO’s X

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply.

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.