The final two days of World Cup group-stage competition are coming up and will determine the remaining spots in the knockout rounds. Group H will conclude on Friday, when Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia square off. On Saturday, Group K features a showdown between Congo DR and Uzbekistan.
Let’s dive into my best bets for two of the upcoming World Cup matches.
Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia prediction: Cape Verde draw no bet (-115)
At worst Cape Verde squad should draw against Saudi Arabia. The greater likelihood, though, is that the Blue Sharks win outright. They have two points through two matches; three (and an even goal differential) could be enough to advance, but five would make it a lock. This upstart Cape Verde side isn’t about to take its foot off the gas pedal following a pair of stellar performances in its first two World Cup matches.
Vozinha and friends have already faced the two best teams in Group H, coming away with two draws. Following an almost hard-to-believe 0-0 tie with Spain, they battled Uruguay to 2-2. Cape Verde earned those points in different ways, too. It was entirely defensive against the high-powered Spaniards, as Vozinha came up big time and time again — an effort that gained him more than 10 million Instagram followers and counting. Th Blue Sharks were more offensive in their next match, maintaining a respectable 35 percent of the possession against Uruguay and doubling their opponents in shots on goal.
Saudi Arabia has been less impressive — and that’s an understatement. It managed to take one point in its opening match (a 1-1 draw), but Uruguay finished with 1.72 expected goals to the Green Falcons’ 0.66 and the shots on goal tally was 10-3 in Uruguay’s favor. Saudi Arabia proceeded to get clobbered 4-0 by Spain — and it wasn’t even that close. Lamine Yamal and company scored three times in the first 24 minutes and led by the final 4-0 scored before the 51st minute.
Congo DR vs. Uzbekistan prediction: Congo 3-way ML (-135)
Both of these Group K squads are mathematically alive, but it’s all but over for Uzbekistan. It has zero points and a -7 goal differential following setbacks against Colombia (3-1) and Portugal (5-0). Unless the White Wolves beat Congo by an outrageous number of goals, they will be unable to qualify for the bracket as a third-place team.
Uzbekistan’s first match against Colombia was largely competitive, but its loss to Portugal was a completely different story. The Portuguese led 3-0 by the 39th minute and finished with 66 percent of the possession while recording nine shots on goal to the Uzbeks’ two. Keep in mind that Portugal was a team in significant turmoil prior to that match, but the White Wolves made Ronaldo and company look like real World Cup contenders. Uzbekistan’s defense has looked especially vulnerable. Congo’s attack led by Yoane Wissa, Meschak Elia, and Cedric Bakambu should be able to capitalize.
Congo has looked far more capable. It gave Portugal all kinds of problems. In a 1-1 draw, the Leopards recorded more expected goals, more shots on goal, and more big chances. Although Congo DR struggled a bit with Colombia in a 1-0 loss, it was tied in that contest — despite being a sizable underdog — until the 76th minute.