After drawing their group openers, two-time winners Uruguay and debutants Curacao meet at the Miami Stadium on Sunday evening in a crucial clash in Group H.
Despite being heavy favourites, Uruguay failed to win their group opener, as they could only draw 1-1 with Saudi Arabia.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side fell behind just before halftime, and despite the constant pressure, they had to wait until the 80th minute to equalise, as Maxi Araujo followed up a rebound.
With Spain to come in their final group match, it is pivotal that La Celeste pick up all three points if they are to reach the knockout stages.
Whilst it was a surprise that Uruguay failed to win their group opener, that wasn’t even the biggest shock in Group H on MD1.
Six hours earlier, debutants Cape Verde held reigning European champions Spain to a goalless draw in Atlanta.
That unexpected point means the Blue Sharks have a fighting chance of reaching the Round of 32, and with Saudi Arabia to come in their final group game, any points here will be viewed as a bonus.
How the bookies view it: Uruguay favourites
Despite being held to a draw in their group opener with Saudi Arabia, Uruguay are once again odds-on favourites to collect all three points, with bet365 pricing a Uruguayan success at 12/25.
Cape Verde are 13/2 underdogs to claim their first-ever victory at the World Cup finals, whilst another draw is priced at 31/10.
Head to head: First-ever meeting
Sunday evening’s clash in Miami will be the first-ever meeting between these two nations.
Players to watch: Value in Valverde?
Federico Valverde had a terrific personal campaign for Real Madrid last season, as he scored nine goals and provided 12 assists in all competitions for Los Blancos.
The Uruguayan captain was unlucky to hit the post with one of his trademark strikes against Saudi Arabia on MD1, and he looks decent value at 7/5 to Score or Assist in Miami on Sunday evening.
Predicted line-ups:
Uruguay will still be without the likes of Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo, Giorgian de Arrasceta and Joaquin Piquerez.
Cape Verde appears to have no new fresh injury or suspension concerns following their historic draw with Spain.
Uruguay: Muslera, Valera, Caceres, Olivera, Vina, Ugarte, Bentancur, Valverde, Vinas, M Araujo, Nunez
Cape Verde: Vozinha, Moreira, Lopes, Borges, L Cabral, Lenini, Mendes, L Duarte, Monteiro, J Cabral, Livramento
Anything else catch the eye?
Following their historic draw with Spain on MD1, Cape Verde will need to go and repeat that performance against Uruguay, but I feel that will be too much to ask of them.
Despite drawing their opener with Saudi Arabia, Uruguay were much the better team, but will be aware they can ill afford to drop any more points given they still have to play Spain.
Whilst I do think the Uruguayans will win, I don’t envisage it being a thriller, and I like the look of both Uruguay to Win & Under 3.5 Goals (20/23) and Uruguay to Win to Nil (1/1) – both at bet365.
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