Argentina and Cape Verde will take center stage at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida at 6:00 p.m. ET tonight on FOX.
Argentina is priced as a -700 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Cape Verde is +1900 to pull off the upset in regulation. The over/under is set at 2.5 (-165o / +130u).
Below, you can find our Argentina vs. Cape Verde World Cup picks, which include predictions for a number of betting markets: total shots, second half goals, halftime/fulltime and more.
Argentina vs Cape Verde Picks & Props
| Game | Time (ET) | Best Bet |
|---|---|---|
  | 6:00 p.m. | |
| 6:00 p.m. | |
| 6:00 p.m. | |
| 6:00 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our World Cup Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Argentina vs Cape Verde Odds
| Cape Verde Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -160 | 2.5 -165o / +130u | +1900 |
| Argentina Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 +125 | 2.5 -165o / +130u | -700 |
Argentina vs Cape Verde Second Half Prop Bet
By William Boor
The second half of the upcoming Round of 32 clash between Argentina and Cape Verde could very well be the most pivotal 45 minutes for goalscoring.
Expect Cape Verde to deploy a rigid defensive setup, aiming to frustrate Argentina just as they did during their scoreless draw against Spain on matchday one.
In that opening fixture, Cape Verde successfully weathered 13 shots and a 1.10 xG in the first half alone, avoiding concession to secure a memorable point. They replicated this resilient approach against Uruguay, holding firm until the 44th minute before conceding two late first-half goals to trail 2-1 at the break.
That defensive masterclass against Spain serves as Cape Verde's blueprint for success against an Argentinian side boasting equal potency in the final third.
If Cape Verde can frustrate their opponents and stay in the match for as long as possible, they could orchestrate one of the grandest upsets in World Cup history. After all, they’re currently unbeaten, having drawn all three group-stage matches.
Should Cape Verde manage to enter the tunnel at 0-0, Argentina will almost certainly ramp up their intensity and attacking output in the second half. In a tournament heavily defined by impactful substitutes, Argentina’s ability to inject elite talent like Julian Alvarez and Nico Paz off the bench could easily tilt the scales after the interval.
The data strongly supports a late surge from the South American giants, as four of Argentina's eight tournament goals have come after the break. This trend already saw the selection of over 1.5 second-half goals cash during their matchday-one fixture against Algeria.
Pick: Argentina Over 1.5 Second Half Goals (+130)
Argentina vs Cape Verde Game Prop
Argentina cashed this prop in each of its three group matches, scoring in both halves against Algeria, Austria, and Jordan.
Cape Verde might hang in there, but Argentina has been very effective in the first half, and that will be the key to hitting this one.
Pick: Argentina to Score in Both Halves (-130)
Argentina vs Cape Verde Total Shots Prediction
Argentina coasted through the group stage with Lionel Messi and company in fine form, and this upcoming match against Cape Verde looks set to be an extremely one-sided affair. Consequently, there is strong value in backing Argentina to register 17 or more shots.
Certification of their true attacking ceiling was slightly masked in their final group stage match against Jordan. While Argentina won that game 3-1 and recorded 12 shots, Scaloni rested several key players, most notably Messi, who did not enter the pitch until the 60th minute.
With a full-strength lineup expected this time around, Argentina is more than capable of generating a much higher volume of attempts.
For their part, Cape Verde reached the knockout stages by employing a deep defensive block and consistently inviting pressure, which resulted in them conceding an average of 17 shots per game during the group stage.
A clear template of this approach occurred in their group match against Spain, where Cape Verde carried a similar price on the 1x2 market. Although they managed to frustrate Spain and escape with a 0-0 draw, the Spanish side still racked up a staggering 27 shots.
Argentina's shot count is likely to soar in a similar fashion, especially if Cape Verde can successfully prevent them from finding an early breakthrough.
This wager also hit when Cape Verde faced Uruguay during the group stage. Much like the clash with Spain, Cape Verde's opponents entered the match as heavy odds-on favorites but ultimately had to settle for a draw.
Despite the stalemated scoreline, Uruguay still managed to register exactly 17 attempts.
Given Cape Verde's established pattern of absorbing pressure against elite opposition, Argentina should have plenty of opportunities to clear this line.
Pick: Argentina Over 16.5 Shots (+100)
Argentina vs Cape Verde Halftime/Fulltime Pick
Argentina enters this matchup riding an impressive 10-match winning streak, a run made even more remarkable by the fact that they have led at halftime in every single one of those victories.
They carried this dominant form right into the opening match of the World Cup, dispatching Algeria easier than expected in a 3-0 victory where a first-half goal from Lionel Messi established a 1-0 lead at the break.
Argentina maintained this trend in their second match against Austria, where a Messi brace with a goal in each half secured a 2-0 win.
In their final group stage fixture, a 3-1 triumph over Jordan, Argentina once again asserted early control by entering halftime with a comfortable 2-0 cushion.
This propensity for deciding games early bodes well for La Albiceleste, who now possess an excellent opportunity to go all the way in the tournament thanks to a highly favorable knockout bracket.
A victory here would see them face either Australia or Egypt in the Round of 16, followed by a potential quarter-final matchup against Switzerland, Algeria, Colombia, or Ghana.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni will undoubtedly demand composure and concentration from his squad right from the opening whistle. He remains well aware of the Blue Sharks’ earlier tournament heroics, specifically their ability to frustrate Spain and hold them to a scoreless draw.
While the underdogs will almost certainly attempt to execute that same defensive game plan today, breaking Argentina's momentum will be a monumental task.
Given that Argentina has scored over 1.5 goals in each of their previous nine matches and sustained a halftime lead across their last 10 outings, Cape Verde faces an incredibly steep uphill battle to keep this potent attack quiet in the first 45 minutes.
Pick: Halftime/Fulltime – Argentina/Argentina (-175)
