- Spain are unbeaten in their last 10 games (W7, D3).
- Cape Verde have won six of their last 10 matches but have lost three of those matches.
Cruzeiro das Ilhas is no match for Spain
Cape Verde are ready to make their long-awaited World Cup debut on Monday and they will be licking their lips at the prospect of facing reigning European champions Spain at Atlanta Stadium. Bubista has done a fantastic job since taking the helm of the team in 2020, turning them into a disciplined, well-organised side that is difficult to break down and dangerous on the break. But there is no doubt that Spain will be too strong for them in this clash.
Luis de la Fuente has been Spain's manager since December 2022 and has built upon Luis Enrique's possession-based approach by making his team more vertical, dynamic and more willing to press high up the field. Spain play a flexible 4-3-3 system that can change into a 4-2-3-1 when necessary, but the common theme in both systems is control of the ball and lots of it. Pedri has been the orchestrator of their play in the last few months, dictating the tempo and linking up the play, while Mikel Oyarzabal has been on fire for the 2022 European champions, netting four goals in their last five games.
Jovane Cabral is a real talent and gives the team a real spark in the advanced playmaker role, using his dribbling and vision to carve out chances in the final third, while Ryan Mendes is a serious threat in behind the strikers in transition. Cape Verde have a solid centre back in Stopira, who provides leadership and physicality to the side, but they will struggle to match up to the Spanish side.
Spain to cover the odds
Spain are 11/100 favourites for this game but that price seems about right given the gulf in class between the teams, the firepower at de la Fuente's disposal and the fact that Spain have a good system that can be easily adjusted to suit different opponents.
Cape Verde are in decent form, having won their last three consecutive matches, including two home wins against Serbia and Bermuda by 3-0 scorelines, but they have lost their last two away games and we feel they will be out of their depth here. We're expecting Cape Verde to sit deep and absorb the pressure, but they should get opportunities on the counter attack. However, with Spain's defence in fine form, it's difficult to see Cape Verde getting on the scoresheet and the odds for 'BTTS - No' at 1/2 are too short.
There are a lot of reasons to expect goals in this match, however, and Spain should be able to get plenty of them against a defence that is not quite as solid as some of the better South American sides. Odds of 33/100 for 'Over 2.5 Goals' are too low given Spain's average of 2.00 goals scored in their last six home matches and Cape Verde's average of 2.50 conceded in their last four on the road.
