Cape Verde Isl. vs Saudi Arabia Prediction & Picks - World Cup
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by Bradley Gibbs | in World Cup Picks
On Friday evening, in Houston, Cape Verde players will attempt to do something that very few people thought possible by qualifying for the knockouts of the World Cup. They’re up against Saudi Arabia.
Both teams come into this game with a chance of qualifying, but as they have two points, it is Cape Verde in the driving seat. After two encouraging performances already, the minnows will fancy themselves to pick up a huge three points here, and that would be more than enough to see them through.
There’s a certain amount of momentum behind the African islanders, who also have the support of many neutrals, so do not be surprised if they get over the line against a Saudi team that likely won’t be feeling too confident after that drubbing by Spain. However, from a betting point of view, the best move might just be ‘Both Teams to Score - NO’ at odds of +110.
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Cape Verde Isl. vs Saudi Arabia Form
Table
| Teams | Pts | P | W | D | L | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3
|
2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
|
4
|
1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -4 |
Cape Verde Isl. and Saudi Arabia Latest Matches
2/6 (33%)
3/6 (50%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 21, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 15, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 6, 2026 - International Friendlies
May 31, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 29, 2026 - FIFA Series
Mar 26, 2026 - FIFA Series
3/6 (50%)
3/6 (50%)
0/6 (0%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 6, 2026 - International Friendlies
May 31, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 29, 2026 - FIFA Series
Nov 17, 2025 - International Friendlies
Nov 13, 2025 - International Friendlies
Oct 13, 2025 - World Cup
1/6 (17%)
4/6 (67%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 21, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 15, 2026 - World Cup
Mar 26, 2026 - FIFA Series
Oct 8, 2025 - World Cup
Sep 4, 2025 - World Cup
Jun 8, 2025 - International Friendlies
1/6 (17%)
2/6 (33%)
3/6 (50%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 21, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 15, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 9, 2026 - International Friendlies
Jun 5, 2026 - International Friendlies
May 30, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 31, 2026 - International Friendlies
2/6 (33%)
2/6 (33%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 15, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 5, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 27, 2026 - International Friendlies
Dec 18, 2025 - Arab Cup
Dec 15, 2025 - Arab Cup
Dec 2, 2025 - Arab Cup
1/6 (17%)
1/6 (17%)
4/6 (67%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 21, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 9, 2026 - International Friendlies
May 30, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 31, 2026 - International Friendlies
Dec 11, 2025 - Arab Cup
Dec 8, 2025 - Arab Cup
Cape Verde Isl. - Saudi Arabia: Form Analysis
The efforts of the Cape Verde players at this World Cup have been impressive. Despite having the odds stacked against them, despite having never featured at a World Cup before, and despite playing against teams full of players operating at higher levels of the game, they’ve shown no fear and have played with heart and soul, earning two huge points. They have momentum behind them, but it will now be interesting to see how they fare when not considered sizable underdogs.
They have momentum behind them, but it will now be interesting to see how they fare when not considered sizable underdogs.
The Saudis haven’t been as impressive as the men from Cape Verde, nor have they earned anywhere near as many plaudits for their efforts. They did hold the Uruguayans to a tie during the first round of group games, though it was a fairly lucky tie, while they could not do what Cape Verde did against the Spanish, being brushed aside rather than standing firm. That said, they’re still in with a chance of going through, and they will fancy themselves to get a result here.
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Saudi Arabia v Cape Verde Isl. last Lineups
Formation : 4 - 1 - 4 - 1
Formation : 4 - 4 - 2
Substitutes
C. Dos Santos
M. Rosa
DefenderStopira
W. Pina
K. Pires
L. Costa
MidfielderD. Duarte
W. Semedo
J. Cabral
L. Duarte
H. Varela
Joao Paulo
Y. Semedo
N. Da Costa
ForwardD. Livramento
N. Alaqidi
A. Alkassar
DefenderN. Washl
M. Abu Alshamat
J. Thikri
A. Majrashi
H. Kadish
MidfielderZ. Aljohani
A. Alhajji
M. Kanno
ForwardA. Alhamddan
K. Alghannam
A. Yahya
S. Alshehri
S. Mandash
Missing players
S. Lopes Cabral
MidfielderJ. Cabral
T. Arcanjo
Cape Verde Isl. & Saudi Arabia Squad Analysis
For the second game on the spin, Cape Verde head coach Bubista got his tactics and decisions regarding personnel correct against Uruguay. The question now is will he make tweaks for a second time? Forward Dailon Livramento started the first game, but was replaced by Benchimol ahead of the Uruguay game. Neither player scored, so it will be interesting to see who heads up the offense here. Sidney Lopes Cabral picked up his second booking of the tournament last time out and is now suspended.
The Saudi team is fairly settled and with this certainly being a more winnable game than the last two on paper, we’ll likely see a similar lineup in Houston.
Saudi Arabia head coach Georgios Donis didn’t make too many changes ahead of the game against Spain, and even though his team took a beating, he probably won’t tinker too much here. The Saudi team is fairly settled and with this certainly being a more winnable game than the last two on paper, we’ll likely see a similar lineup in Houston.
Most goals and assists
Cape Verde Isl.
Saudi Arabia
A. Alamri
(1 Goals)
Cape Verde Isl. - Saudi Arabia Key Points
- The Saudi's failed to score last time out at this World Cup.
- The Cape Verde boys have also failed to score in one of their group games.
- At this tournament so far, Cape Verde have produced expected-goals totals of 0.21 and 0.88.
- At this tournament so far, the Saudi's have produced expected-goals totals of 0.66 and 0.13.
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Our Cape Verde Isl. vs Saudi Arabia Prediction
This could very, very easily turn out to be a tight, tense and all-round nervy affair. Both teams are in with a chance of going through, and the pressure could easily get to both, with neither likely to take many risks early on.
It’s also important not to let Cape Verde’s fairytale results cloud the fact that both of these teams have shown a clear lack of offensive quality, scoring only three goals between them, producing a clear lack of expected goals, meaning that it would be far from shocking it at least one side failed to find the net here.
Our Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia Pick: Both Teams to Score - NO.
Cape Verde Isl. vs Saudi Arabia - Other Interesting Picks
Saudi Arabia to Win
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Cape Verde Isl. vs Saudi Arabia match : Frequently asked questions
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
