Argentina have won their last 10 games, conceding just two goals
Cape Verde drew 0-0 with Spain and Saudi Arabia during the group stage
Recommended Bet: Argentina to win to nil and Lionel Messi to score anytime
Score prediction: Argentina 4-0 Cape Verde
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Date, kick-off time, stadium, competition
Friday, July 3, 23:00 BST at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami - World Cup Round of 32
Where to watch
ITV1, livescorebet.com
Outright odds
Argentina - 4/1 Cape Verde - 500/1
The latest Argentina vs Cape Verde odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team News
Messi was rested for the final group game against Jordan but is bound to return to the starting line-up, with Julian Alvarez likely to make way.
Elsewhere, Lionel Scaloni should revert to his preferred strongest XI, with Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez all also tipped to return.
Like Argentina, Cape Verde have no reported injury problems for the clash, so veteran goalkeeper Vozinha, 40, key defender Roberto Lopes and midfielder Jamiro Monteiro should all feature from the start for Bubista’s' side.
The latest Argentina vs Cape Verde odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The stats
Argentina have won the World Cup three times — in 1978, 1986 and 2022.
Cape Verde are competing in their first World Cup and are the smallest nation to ever make the knockout stage.
This is the first-ever meeting between Argentina and Cape Verde.
Argentina have won their last 10 games.
In that winning sequence, Scaloni's side have conceded just two goals.
Cape Verde are unbeaten in their last six matches.
The latest Argentina vs Cape Verde odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
After unexpectedly making it out of their group, Cape Verde may have hoped for a kinder last-32 tie, instead the tiny African island nation have to pit themselves against arguably the best country in the world — and an in-form Messi.
A 0-0 draw with European champions Spain in the country's first-ever World Cup finals game was a truly stunning result, but Cape Verde then backed it up with an arguably better display when drawing 2-2 with Uruguay.
Their passage to the next stage was sealed when they again demonstrated impressive defensive resolve to hold Saudi Arabia 0-0, but this is now a massive step up.
Argentina have outclassed all three group opponents, while rarely even getting out of second gear, and this should go their way too.
Backing another convincing Argentina victory to nil — something they have achieved in eight of their last 10 games — while also adding in another Messi goal, which almost seems inevitable, may be the way to tackle this one-sided contest.
Score prediction: Argentina 4-0 Cape Verde
Back Argentina to win to nil and Lionel Messi to score anytime at 6/5 with LiveScore Bet
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