Let’s start with Cabo Verde. Don’t think they’re a World Cup newcomer and won’t score, mate. In their last 10 matches, they’ve averaged 1.9 goals per game, with an average total of 2.7 goals per match, so their attacking output is really not weak at all. They mainly play a low block with compact defending plus vertical counterattacks. Their transition speed is absurdly quick, and their wing play is extremely threatening. On top of that, they are very efficient from set pieces. Kevin Pina’s free kicks are the real deal, and if they can score twice against Uruguay in their last match, you know just how high their finishing efficiency is. Now look at Saudi Arabia’s defense — it’s basically a sieve. In their first two matches, they’ve conceded an average of 2.5 goals per game, and their aerial defending is shockingly poor. Against high balls, they look like they’re made of paper. Cabo Verde’s set pieces and headers are the perfect way to exploit that weakness. I’m telling you, if Cabo Verde get a few set-piece chances, Saudi Arabia’s back line will struggle to hold up. There’s another point: Saudi Arabia must win this match to keep their hopes of advancing alive, so they’re definitely going to have to push forward and attack. Once they do, the space behind them will open up, and Cabo Verde’s vertical counterattacks will be deadly. Saudi Arabia also tends to make a lot of passing mistakes under high-intensity pressing, which makes them vulnerable to being punished on the break. Of course, Cabo Verde are without starting winger Cabral, so their ability to break down the flanks will be reduced somewhat, and Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Owais also has pretty strong shot-stopping ability. But when you weigh up both teams’ attacking efficiency, defensive quality, and motivation, the 2.25-goal line