Cape Verde's dream World Cup debut continues with Friday's enticing last-32 showdown with reigning champions Argentina.
The Blue Sharks have already exceeded expectations by making it out of a group which also included Spain and Uruguay, but now they face the ultimate test up against Lionel Messi and co.
Argentina sailed through their group, winning all three games comfortably, and have their sights set on becoming just the third country in history to ever retain the World Cup.
Argentina v Cape Verde Tips Summary
Best Bet - Argentina to win to nil @ 8/15
Alternative Bet - Lionel Messi to score 2 or more goals @ 21/10
Bet Builder - Lautaro Martinez to score anytime, Alexis Mac Allister 2+ shots, Over 2 goals @ 3/1
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Argentina v Cape Verde Prediction
Best Bet: Argentina to win to nil @ 8/15
Argentina had posted five successive victories to nil before beating Jordan 3-1 in their final group match.
Conceding in that game should be put in a bit of context, though, as La Albiceleste had already sealed qualification as Group J winners with victories over Austria (2-0) and Algeria (3-0) in their first two games.
Plenty of football fans, keen to see an extension of Cape Verde’s underdog story, will be hoping the African island nation can pull off a miracle but, in truth, Argentina should swat the minnows aside, however unromantic that sounds.
A team 62 places beneath them in FIFA’s rankings are unlikely to worry the world champions too much, despite their considerable efforts in the tournament up till now.
Goalless draws with Spain and Saudi Arabia were defensive masterclasses, while they stunned Uruguay to draw 2-2 in a memorable display that will go down in Cape Verde folklore.
However, put simply, a focused Argentina should outclass opponents who are clearly very inferior to them.
Cape Verde, for all their endeavour and organisation, are likely to realise that the competition is about to take a big step up and a defeat to nil looms.
It is a bet which appeals further considering Argentina have managed that in five of their last six games, while the Blue Sharks have fired a blank in two of their three matches thus far at the tournament.
Alternative Bet: Lionel Messi to score 2 or more goals @ 21/10
It could end up, again, being Messi’s tournament, just like it was in Qatar four years ago.
After failing on the international stage for so long, the brilliant forward is now revelling in the biggest competition of them all and few would bet against the Inter Miami superstar carrying his side to glory this summer.
He may now be 39, but magical Messi has scored six goals already and will surely have his sights set on the golden boot.
He faces some stiff competition for that accolade in a World Cup in which the best strikers have all stepped up, but that should only propel the former Barcelona ace on even more.
And up against opponents he can dominate with his technical wizardry, Messi can add at least a couple more goals to his tally in a city - Miami - he knows only too well.
Argentina v Cape Verde Bet Builder Tip
Lautaro Martinez to score anytime
Alexis Mac Allister 2+ shots
Over 2 goals
Pays 3/1
While Messi may inspire Argentina again, they also have a superb supporting cast, with Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez and Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister among their other key players.
Martinez has started all three games so far so his importance to Lionel Scaloni's side is clear. He has scored one goal but can add another on Friday as he continues to be a big threat in the final third for his country.
Mac Aliister, meanwhile, is a main cog in the midfield and, after he managed two shots in the first group game against Algeria, the 27-year-old can follow up with something similar in this first knockout contest.
Mac Allister had an indifferent club season in the Premier League but still racked up 52 shots over the course of a sometimes testing campaign, with an effort from distance always an option when he gets close to the penalty area.
The final leg of this bet builder is for there to be at least three goals, which seems reasonable considering Argentina have scored eight in three games and are expected to be convincing winners in Miami.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
Argentina are three-time world champions
Cape Verde are competing in their first World Cup
Cape Verde are the smallest country to ever make the knockout stages of a World Cup
They are ranked 64th in the world by FIFA, Argentina are currently second
The two nations have never faced each other before
Argentina have won their last 10 matches, conceding just two goals in the process
Cape Verde are unbeaten in their last six outings
Read more football betting tips and predictions on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
