Reigning champions Argentina will look to seal their place in the Round of 16 as they take on debutants Cape Verde in Miami on Friday evening.
Argentina have made the perfect defence of their World Cup crown so far, as the reigning champions cruised through Group J.
Lionel Scaloni’s men recorded comfortable victories over both Algeria (3-0) and Austria (2-0) – thanks to an inspired Lionel Messi – before defeating debutants Jordan despite rotating their starting 11.
Lionel Messi isn’t the only one grabbing the headlines here, as debutants Cape Verde have reached the knockout stages after finishing in second spot in Group H.
The Blue Sharks held European champions Spain to a goalless draw on their debut, before a further pair of stalemates against Uruguay and Saudi Arabia meant they finished a point above the Uruguayans and the Saudis.
How the bookies view it: Argentina clear favourites
Unsurprisingly, Argentina are clear favourites to continue the defence of their World Cup crown, with bet365 pricing them at just 1/16 To Qualify, whilst the win inside 90 minutes isn’t much better at 1/6.
Cape Verde are 9/1 underdogs to keep their fairytale run going, whilst the win inside regulation time is a massive 14/1.
More match odds are available on our best mobile apps for World Cup betting.
Head to head: First-ever meeting
Friday’s clash in Miami will be the first-ever meeting between these two nations.
Players to watch: More Messi magic?
Despite just turning 39 years old, Lionel Messi continues to provide more magic for Argentina, scoring six goals in the group stages.
The Argentinian came off the bench to score against Jordan, but scored a hat-trick against Algeria and a brace against Austria in both of his starts, and I like the look of the 12/5 on offer at bet365 for the little magician to Score Two or More Goals.
Backed a player to find the net? Check our Goalscorer Betting guide to see how the markets work and where to find value.
Predicted line-ups:
Argentina are likely to return to a similar starting 11 to the one that defeated Austria on MD2, with Cristian Romero likely to return following a knock.
Sidny Cabral returns from suspension, but Jovane Cabral is still a doubt for the Blue Sharks.
Argentina: E Martinez, Molina, Romero, L Martinez, Medina, De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez, Alvarez, Messi, Martinez
Cape Verde: Vozinha, Moreira, Lopes, Borges, S Cabral, Pina, Mendes, L Duarte, Monteiro, Rodrigues, Livramento
Anything else catch the eye?
Cape Verde head into this clash having drawn all three of their group games – including that notable goalless draw with Spain – but I reckon their luck will run out against an Argentina side that tends to always find a way.
Prior to that win over Jordan, Lionel Scaloni’s men had won to nil in seven of their last eight matches, and combining that with a Lionel Messi goal pays an appealing 23/20 at bet365.
Eight of La Albiceleste’s last 11 victories have also featured fewer than four goals, and a repeat pays a backable 4/5 at bet365.
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