Argentina
- Argentina have won 9 of their last 10 matches across all competitions, a run that includes their last 5 in a row.
- Lionel Scaloni has developed a slick unit over the course of his reign since 2018, with Argentina's pressing game often keeping the ball and their 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 interchangeable players always looking to rotate into the attacking third.
Cape Verde
- Cape Verde are undefeated in 5 FIFA World Cup Group H matches but their overall form across all comps is 4 wins, 3 draws and 3 losses over the last 10.
- Cape Verde's coach, Bubista, has put together a compact and disciplined side that has proven to be hard to break down since he took over in 2020.
- Cape Verde's last 3 matches were all draws and the last 2, which were away at Spain and Uruguay in Group H, were particularly impressive.
- They won't chase the ball as Argentina do, sitting deep, staying compact and waiting to spring a counter or exploit set piece opportunities when the champions overcommit.
Head-to-Head
In this fresh first-time matchup , it's hard to see how Cape Verde can break down Argentina in a classic Goliath vs David clash, given that they don't even have a Lionel Messi .
Key Players
- Lionel Messi
- Will likely be central to Argentina getting the tempo up and influencing the attacking third.
- Kevin Lenini
- The veteran has scored 2 of their 6 goals over the last 5 games and is a candidate to threaten on set pieces and counters.
Betting Insights
- Argentina are 1.18 favorites to beat Cape Verde, Cape Verde 2.58, and the draw is at 8.1.
- Scaloni's side have scored 13 goals in their last 5 across all comps and have conceded just 1 goal in their last 7 home games.
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Suggested markets from the preview:
- Back the Argentinians to win Under 2.5 goals at 2.37.
- BTTS - No at 1.45.
- Take Cape Verde for a Kevin Lenini goal.
Prediction
Argentina to win , with a tight scoreline likely and the match finishing Under 2.5 goals .
