- Argentina have won their last 5 matches, scoring 13 goals and conceding just once in their last 7 home games.
- Cape Verde have held Spain to a 0-0 draw in one of their last 3 matches.
- Argentina's back line has conceded just once in their last 7 home games.
Scaloni's South American masters
Argentina come into their Miami clash as the heavyweight, but Cape Verde will not be pushovers. They are unbeaten in 5 straight FIFA World Cup Group H games, and have held off serious opposition in Spain and Uruguay in that run. Bubista has shaped a compact, disciplined side since taking over in 2020, which will sit deep and stay narrow and try to spring counter attacks and set pieces when the opportunity arises.
Lionel Scaloni's side will be the antithesis of Cape Verde's approach; they will look for possession, they will overload areas and they will try to press their opponents into errors. Argentina have won 9 of their last 10 in all competitions and have scored 13 goals in their last 5 games. Lionel Messi is the headline act and he has scored 4 goals in their last 5, but his supporting cast are on a hot streak too and the variety of scorers is an extra problem for their opponents to deal with.
Don't expect a walk in the park
This will be a first time encounter for Argentina and Cape Verde, but it's hard not to think that this David vs Goliath match-up is exactly what the organisers had in mind for the tournament debutants. That said, Argentina will be the heavy favourites at 1.18 with Cape Verde coming in at 2.58 and the draw at 8.1.
There is simply too much of a gulf between these two sides, but Cape Verde have been stubborn enough in recent games to suggest that Argentina will have to work hard for it. The Creole Sharks have drawn 0-0 away to Spain and 2-2 away to Uruguay in their group and they will keep this tight while they can.
Argentina to edge it
Argentina should have far too much quality and depth for Cape Verde to resist, but the visitors will frustrate for as long as they can. They have been tight on the road, scoring 1.25 goals on average and conceding 2.25 goals per game in this competition. Spain and Saudi Arabia have been kept at bay by Cape Verde in two of their last 3, and while Argentina will frustrate them with their possession and pressure, they could eventually be forced into a long, long night.
Argentina have been ruthless in their two FIFA World Cup J matches, putting Algeria away by 3-0 and Austria by 2-0, both at home, while their attacking players have been in form and their back line has been perfect. They look a little short at 1.18 to win the match, but Under 2.5 at 2.37 looks like the value wager here, with BTTS - No at 1.45 is the play of the day. Kevin Lenini will provide a spark for Cape Verde, he's scored 2 of their 6 goals in the last 5 games and he could make life difficult for Argentina, but they should ultimately have enough to pull away.
