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Uruguay saw 2+ goals in their opening game against Saudi Arabia as they were held to a 1-1 draw. This is a really important game for Marcelo Bielsa’s side, it’s pretty much a must win as they face Spain in their final group game and it’s plausible that Spain may need a result in that game to top the group so getting three points here is essential.

Uruguay are quite a frantic side and play with a lot of intensity which is normal for Bielsa’s sides. They’ve seen 2+ goals in four of their last six international matches, there are some 0-0 draws in this recent run but I don’t see that being the scoreline here given that Uruguay do need the three points to avoid a very nervy contest against Spain in their final group match.

Cape Verde are capable of contributing to the goal tally too, they’d scored in each of their four games prior to the 0-0 draw with Spain and looked like they could put something together in transition with Uruguay bound to leave gaps at the back as they did against Saudi Arabia.

Uruguay play with a lot of intensity and I expect that to show in their foul and card numbers here. Cape Verde have already shown that they can frustrate some of the elite nations at this World Cup, drawing 10 fouls and a yellow card from Spain last time out.

Uruguay’s caution is likely to come during transition here, Cape Verde have outlets through Cabral and Mendes who can get them up the pitch. Both wingers are quite quick and strong when it comes to winning fouls, Mendes was fouled twice against Spain and Cabral looked very dangerous when he had space to run into.

Uruguay averaged 2.12 cards per game during qualifying while Cape Verde drew 2.20 cards per game from their opponents during their qualifying campaign so the underlying data also lines up pretty well for this angle when also factoring in the frustration that is likely to consume Marcelo Bielsa’s side at times. 

Fede Valverde is Uruguay’s best player and managed two shots on target in their opener against Saudi Arabia, as well as having the joint most touches in the oppositions box (7).

He managed 27 shots across his 14 starts for Uruguay during qualifying (1.89 per 90), scoring twice with these efforts. He's not afraid to take on efforts from range, with both of his efforts on target against Saudi Arabia coming from outside of the box.

11 of Spain’s 27 efforts against Cape Verde came from outside of the box, so Valverde’s range is likely to be perfect for this type of game where Uruguay may need something special to break down a stubborn Cape Verde backline who will sit quite deep. 

Ryan Mendes is a really useful outlet for Cape Verde with his speed and directness which are traits he used to win two fouls against Spain last time out.

Mendes will be up against Maxi Araujo, who scored the equaliser for Uruguay against Saudi Arabia and is generally quite an aggressive player. He committed one foul in that game, as well as 45 fouls across 25 starts for Sporting during the 25/26 campaign (1.83 per 90).

Mendes will play in the exact same role he occupied against Spain, with his team mates looking to find him in behind what is expected to be quite a high defensive line for Uruguay. 

Vozinha was sensational in Cape Verde’s opener against Spain, making seven saves and winning MOTM for his display.

He’s likely to be just as busy here against a Uruguay side that drew nine saves from Mohammed Al Owais in their opening clash, managing 27 shots and 10 shots on target overall. 

His confidence should be really high following that display against Spain and three saves is certainly plausible when noting that Ugruya are expected to have as many as 10 shots on target here, mirroring their output from the opening game.