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Cape Verde will be eyeing their biggest-ever win when they take on Spain at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Monday.
This is the Blue Sharks’ first-ever appearance at the FIFA World Cup, and going up against the European champions represents one of the biggest milestones in their footballing history.
Spain, on the other hand, are looking to improve their fortunes in this competition after a disappointing run in their last three campaigns.
Read our Spain vs Cape Verde prediction, preview and betting tips below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions, as well as our best football world cup betting offers.
Spain vs Cape Verde key stats
- Cape Verde have scored six goals in their last two games.
- Spain have not lost in regulation time since March 2024.
- Five of Spain's last seven matches went above the 2.5-goal mark.
Spain vs Cape Verde preview: Business as usual for La Roja?
| Spain | vs | Cape Verde |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd | FIFA Ranking | 67th |
| Rodri (62) | Most Caps | Ryan Mendes (98) |
| Mikel Oyarzabal (24) | Most Goals | Ryan Mendes (22) |
| 743 | Total Caps | 822 |
| 118 | Total Goals | 75 |
| 0 | Uncapped Players | 0 |
Although Spain are one of the favourites to win this competition, it is worth mentioning that they have not gotten past the last 16 since their triumph in 2010.
However, La Roja head into this competition on the back of a 10-match unbeaten run. Their only defeat in 30 games came in a penalty shootout; they've won the European Championship and reached the UEFA Nations League final in that stretch.
Luis De La Fuente has a fully-fit squad to choose from after Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal returned to full training this week. The Athletic Bilbao sensation overcame a late-season muscular injury struggle to rejoin the training group alongside the Barcelona star, who had not featured competitively since picking up a hamstring tear in April.
Mikel Oyarzabal has firmly established himself as one of Spain's most reliable and lethal threats. The 29-year-old has 18 goal contributions in his last 11 international appearances and is crucial in La Roja's quest to reach the last four for the second time in 76 years.
On the other hand, Cape Verde secured their first-ever World Cup berth by finishing ahead of African giants Cameroon in the CAF qualifiers.
Despite being the clear underdogs, the Blue Sharks are brimming with confidence ahead of this encounter after winning their last three games. They have also lost only once in 13 previous meetings with European sides, although none of those teams are on Spain's level.
Ahead of this skirmish, Cape Verde have no injury concerns, so coach Bubista will be able to rely on the experience of Ryan Mendes, who is the team’s top scorer (22 goals) and most-capped player (98 caps).
This will be the first-ever encounter between these nations, and they are paired with Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group H.
Spain vs Cape Verde form guide & betting tips
| Spain | vs | Cape Verde |
|---|---|---|
D
W
D
D
W
|
Form |
D
L
W
W
W
|
| 9 | Goals For | 10 |
| 4 | Goals Against | 6 |
N/A |
World Cup Form | N/A |
Whispers Predicts: Spain 4-1 Cape Verde
At 1/10 (1.10), Spain are considered favourites by the bookmakers ahead of this clash.
There's a huge difference in quality between these squads, as Cape Verde have only one player in Europe's top five leagues, so anything other than a comfortable victory for Spain would be a surprise.
However despite being the overwhelming underdogs, we believe there is a lot of value in backing Cape Verde to score at 6/4 (2.50), as they did so in 13 of their last 14 games across all competitions.
Also, there were at least 10 corners in four of Spain's last five competitive games, and over 9.5 total corners is priced at 17/20 (1.85).
> Over 3.5 total goals at 19/20 (1.95) | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS – Yes at 8/5 (2.60) | Likelihood: Possible
> HT result: Spain at 2/5 (1.40) | Likelihood: Probable
> Spain & BTTS – Yes at 19/10 (2.90) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct Score: 4-1 at 14/1 (15.00) | Likelihood: Outsider