South Korea need a win over Portugal on Friday and then hope the other game in Group H goes their way if they are to take their place in the knockout stage of the World Cup.
It's not been a tournament to remember so far for the Asian nation as they followed up a dull goalless draw with Uruguay with a painful 3-2 defeat against Ghana, when they had recovered well to make it 2-2 after being 2-0 down early on.
Now they have to see off already-qualified Portugal in their final group clash and hope Uruguay can beat Ghana - but not by too many goals - with South Korea currently having a one-goal better goal difference than the South Americans.
However, it could get complicated because if Ghana and Uruguay draw, South Korea will need to beat Portugal by two clear goals to advance, but if Ghana win it's curtains for South Korea no matter how they do against the 2016 European champions.
South Korea vs Portugal Betting Tips
- South Korea to win - 10/3
- Son Heung-min 2+ Shots On Target - 16/5
Team news
Like other teams who had already qualified, Fernando Santos could opt to ring the changes in this final group game even though they are yet to guarantee top spot.
Star men Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva could all get a rest, while Danilo has been ruled out with a rib injury, Nuno Mendes is also definitely out and Otavio is again a major doubt.
South Korea forward Hwang Hee-chan is yet to play in Qatar and is again unlikely to prove his fitness in time with the Wolves man's absence proving to be a big miss for them in the tournament so far.
Son Heung-min will earn his 107th cap, though, sporting the face mask he has worn in the first two matches as he protects a recent facial injury, while Napoli centre-back Kim Min-jae will again line up in defence.
Latest South Korea vs Portugal Betfred Odds
South Korea to win - 10/3
Considering they have to find a victory to stand any chance of progressing and Portugal could be forgiven for taking their eye off the ball as they have already qualified, the 10/3 on offer for a South Korea win seems good value.
Admittedly, South Korea have yet to get going but they at least showed plenty of fighting spirit against Ghana last time out and the stats from that match suggest they should have won, posting a 1.8 xG compared to the African nation's xG of 1.6.
They also comfortably won the shots (22-7), shots on target (7-3) and corner (13-5) count in that clash to suggest they were unlucky to lose out.
A similar display on Friday could well yield three points, especially if Portugal boss Santos opts to make several changes, including resting star men Ronaldo and Fernandes.
Son Heung-min 2+ Shots On Target - 16/5
Tottenham ace Son has not been at his best in Qatar yet but he's too good to be in the shade for long.
The 30-year-old has registered 16 shots on target from 13 Premier League appearances so far this term for his club, and even though he's yet to hit the target in Qatar from three shots taken, sooner or later he should click in front of goal.
World Cup Betting Odds
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