Spain vs Cape Verde Predicted Lineups & Team News

Spain will be expecting to commence their World Cup campaign with a victory on Monday afternoon (5pm BST, live on ITV), but African underdogs Cape Verde could prove tricky opponents.

Who's set to feature in this Group H tie in Atlanta? Here's some team news, a couple of key players and predicted lineups.

Spain

Since being crowned world champions in 2010, Spain have performed poorly at FIFA’s flagship international tournament.

La Rioja crashed out at the group stage in 2014, before being ousted from the last two World Cups - on both occasions via a penalty shootout - in the Round of 16.

Nevertheless, many have suggested Luis de la Fuente’s men are favourites to secure silverware this summer following their impressive Euro 2024 triumph. The Spaniards’ efforts during qualifying provide further evidence to this claim, having racked up 16 points from their six fixtures.

For the first time in history, the Spanish World Cup squad does not include any representatives from Real Madrid following de la Fuente’s decision to leave out defensive duo Dean Huijsen and Dani Carvajal.

Mikel Merino has made a full recovery after fracturing his foot in January, but fellow midfielder Fermín López is now out with a similar issue.

Cape Verde

One of four debutants in North America alongside Uzbekistan, Jordan, and Curaçao, Cape Verde shocked many during their stunning qualification campaign.

The Blue Sharks concluded the CAF section at the summit of Group D, four points ahead of World Cup regulars Cameroon.

Despite reaching the quarter-final stage of the African Cup of Nations in 2024, Cape Verde - who are the third smallest nation to ever compete at a World Cup finals - didn’t even qualify for this year’s edition of the bi-annual continental tournament.

Although Head Coach Pedro Leitão Brito (affectionately nicknamed ‘Bubista’ in his native homeland) is expected to continue with a 4-2-3-1 formation, don’t be surprised if Cape Verde fall into a low block as they attempt to nullify Spain’s lethal forward line.

Remember you can bet on this match and check out all of the live Spain vs Cape Verde Odds over on betfred.com

Spain vs Cape Verde Key Players:

Lamine Yamal (Spain)

Despite Barcelona’s concerns, it appears Lamine Yamal will feature in some capacity on Monday afternoon. The teenage wonderkid hasn’t played a single fixture since the end of April, when he tore his hamstring in the act of firing a penalty past Celta Vigo keeper Ionuț Radu.

Before his season was prematurely cut short, Yamal registered an eye-watering 42 direct goal contributions during yet another scintillating campaign for the reigning La Liga champions. Although he only made two qualifying appearances due to an earlier groin injury, the Catalan winger still managed to rack up three assists.

Roberto Lopes (Cape Verde)

Born in Dublin to a Cape Verdean father and Irish mother, Roberto Lopes has taken full advantage of FIFA’s eligibility rules. The powerful centre-half made his international debut in 2019, before representing Cape Verde on a further 44 occasions ahead of this summer’s World Cup.

Lopes captained Shamrock Rovers to their first domestic double in almost four decades last term, while also playing every minute of his club side’s six Conference League fixtures. An uncompromising figure at the heart of Cape Verde’s back four, Lopes will be a key contributor for Group H’s lowest-ranked outfit.

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