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Cape Verde will take on Saudi Arabia in the early hours of Saturday morning in a World Cup clash that will help determine which sides qualify from Group H.
A win for either side here will be enough to secure a place in the round of 32, so the pressure is very much on both managers as they chase history for their respective nations.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions. Additionally, take a look at our best World Cup betting offers to give yourself the best chance of making some profit.
Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia key stats
- Cape Verde have not lost any of their last five matches in all competitions.
- Across their last five matches, Saudi Arabia have only lost to Spain.
- Both teams have scored in more than 50 % of Cape Verde's last seven matches.
Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia preview: The Blue Sharks to make it three draws from three?
| Cape Verde | vs | Saudi Arabia |
|---|---|---|
| 67th | FIFA Ranking | 61st |
| Ryan Mendes (100) | Most Caps | Salem Al-Dawsari (113) |
| Ryan Mendes (22) | Most Goals | Salem Al-Dawsari (27) |
| 856 | Total Caps | 959 |
| 77 | Total Goals | 97 |
| 0 | Uncapped Players | 0 |
Cape Verde have been one of the stories of the World Cup so far, with the Blue Sharks performing admirably in both of their opening matches, against Spain and Uruguay.
Against all odds, they have picked up two points from both of those matches, and while it was all about digging in and defending deep against Spain, they went toe-to-toe in an attacking sense against Uruguay and were unlucky not to win.
Their performance against La Celeste should mean Bubista's side are full of confidence ahead of this one, and if they can avoid defeat once more, a place in the knockout stages of the competition is likely.
Unfortunately for Bubista, he will be unable to pick the same starting XI that played on the front foot against Uruguay. Telmo Arcanjo is nursing a hamstring injury, while Sidny Lopes is suspended after picking up a yellow card in both his nation's first two matches.
As for Saudi Arabia, anything other than a win on Saturday morning will spell the end of their World Cup.
Although they also picked up a draw against Uruguay in their opening match, they suffered a devastating 4-0 loss to Spain last time out, which has left them in a difficult position ahead of kick-off against Cape Verde.
What makes the task at hand particularly daunting for the Saudis is that they have won just one of their last eight matches in all competitions, so they do not have a recent history of winning to fall back on.
The decision to change managers just two months before the World Cup is starting to look like a bad one, but that will all change if Georgios Donis can lead his team to a famous victory this weekend.
Donis has no choice but to go for it here, and he has a full squad to select from with no reported injuries.
Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia form guide & betting tips
| Cape Verde | vs | Saudi Arabia |
|---|---|---|
WWWDD |
Form | LWDDL |
| 9 | Goals For | 11 |
| 5 | Goals Against | 7 |
DD |
World Cup | DL |
Whispers predicts: Cape Verde 1-1 Saudi Arabia
Between them, these two nations have recorded three draws at the World Cup so far, and another one here would more than likely be enough to see Cape Verde qualify for the round of 32. The match to be a draw has been best priced at 5/2.
These two teams have only scored three goals at the World Cup between them. Under 2.5 goals has been priced at 4/5.
Saudi Arabia have only scored more than one goal in a match in one of their last nine outings. Saudi Arabia to score under 1.5 goals has been priced at 4/9.
> Draw at 5/2 (3.50) | Likelihood: Possible
> Under 2.5 goals at 4/5 (1.80) | Likelihood: Probable
> Saudi Arabia to score under 1.5 goals at 4/9 (1.44) | Likelihood: Probable