Cape Verde Islands vs Saudi Arabia — AI prediction

Result

Cape Verde Islands 0-0 Saudi Arabia

Kick-off: 2026-06-27

Cape Verde arrive in clearly better shape, unbeaten across their last five (DDWWD) with 9 scored and just 3 conceded. They held Spain to a 0-0 and drew 2-2 with Uruguay, while hammering Bermuda and Serbia 3-0 at home. Their published XI is strong with Ryan Mendes, Jamiro Monteiro and Deroy Duarte in midfield behind Dailon Livramento; defender S. Lopes Cabral is suspended (yellow card accumulation) but the back line of Pina, Diney Borges, Pico and João Paulo remains intact. Saudi Arabia look fragile by contrast: LDDWL form, only 5 goals for and 7 against, and a heavy 0-4 loss to Spain in their most recent outing with a meagre 0.14 xG. They did draw Uruguay and Senegal but their attacking output is thin (recent xG just 0.40, ~7 shots per game). Salem Al-Dawsari and Firas Al-Buraikan provide their main threat in a 4-4-2. With this a neutral-venue tournament, the nominal home tag for Cape Verde carries little weight, but their superior form and defensive solidity make them slight favourites. Both teams have shown low attacking xG recently, pointing toward a tight, low-scoring affair where goals are at a premium and BTTS is no certainty.

Key factors

• Cape Verde unbeaten in last 5 (DDWWD), 9 GF / 3 GA, including 0-0 vs Spain and 2-2 vs Uruguay
• Saudi Arabia poor form (LDDWL), 5 GF / 7 GA, thrashed 0-4 by Spain with 0.14 xG
• Both sides show low recent xG (CV 0.54, KSA 0.40) suggesting a low-scoring game
• Cape Verde missing S. Lopes Cabral (suspension); no reported Saudi injuries
• Neutral venue neutralises home advantage — nominal edge only
• Saudi threat hinges on Salem Al-Dawsari and Firas Al-Buraikan

Win probability

• Cape Verde Islands: 39%
• Draw: 30%
• Saudi Arabia: 31%

Goals & scoring

• Over 2.5 goals: 42%
• Both teams to score: 47%

Recent form

Cape Verde Islands: DDWWD · Saudi Arabia: LDDWL