Mali vs Cape Verde prediction: team news, lineups, expert analysis

Expecting few goals

Author:

Benjamin Mcneil, betting expert

Published: 23 Sep 2026, 15:57

Math prediction 1 X 2

Mali

-

Cabo Verde

-

1.95 Linebet 23 Sep 12:02 2.16 -0.22 23 Sep 04:02 2.29 -0.13 22 Sep 21:01 2.11 + 0.18 22 Sep 20:01 1.92 + 0.19 21 Sep 20:00 2 -0.08 3.08 Linebet 23 Sep 12:02 2.98 + 0.1 22 Sep 21:01 3.12 -0.17 22 Sep 20:01 3.3 -0.18 21 Sep 20:00 3.13 + 0.17 4.13 Linebet 23 Sep 12:02 3.63 + 0.54 23 Sep 04:02 3.29 + 0.34 22 Sep 21:01 3.5 -0.21 22 Sep 20:01 4.44 -0.94 21 Sep 20:00 3.44 + 1

47% 30% 22%

18 TIPS

Tournament AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations

Date & kick-off time 25 sep 2026, 15:00

On September 25, 2026, Mali and Cape Verde will face each other in the first round of Africa Cup of Nations qualifying. The visitors will be looking to build on their recent success.

Mali vs Cape Verde: team news and expert analysis

Mali finished only third in their qualifying group. However, they reached the quarter-finals of the AFCON, where they narrowly lost 0-1 to Senegal. Then, in 2026, they played out a goalless draw with Russia in a friendly before losing 0-2 to Iran.

Cape Verde have made a real statement in recent times. First, they won their qualifying group, finishing ahead of Cameroon. They then ended all four matches in regulation time with draws at their debut World Cup — against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in the group stage, and even against Argentina in the knockout stage. The reigning champions eventually settled everything with a goal in extra time, to which the underdogs were unable to respond.

Sauntfit's men score just 0.9 goals per game but concede even fewer — 0.7. The islanders' football is slightly more entertaining: they average 1.4 goals scored and 1.1 conceded per match.

Previous matches: Mali vs Cape Verde

In 2010 and 2011, the sides exchanged clean-sheet wins on home soil.

We are not expecting many goals this time either — our pick is "under 2.0 total goals" (odds – 1.75).

Mali vs Cape Verde: key stats and trends

• Mali have drawn six of their last eight matches
• Both teams have scored in 40% of Mali's matches, while the average total goals per game is 1.6.
• Cape Verde have not lost in regulation time in seven consecutive matches
• Both teams have scored in 50% of Cape Verde's matches, while the average total goals per game is 2.5

Mali vs Cape Verde: possible starting lineups

Mali play in a 1-4-2-3-1 formation (possible lineup): Diarra – Gassama, Kamara, Diaby, Traore – Dieng, Bissouma – Haidara, Sangare, Koulibaly – Sinayoko

Cape Verde play in a 1-4-1-4-1 formation (possible lineup): Vozinha – Cabral, Diney, Lopes, Moreira – Lenini – Cabral, Duarte, Duarte, Mendes – Da Costa

Follow the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying table and check your team's form before placing a bet on the next match

Our Pick

Game Prediction Total under 2.0

1.75

Details →

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Benjamin Mcneil

betting expert

He is an analyst in the world of football who doesn't mind adding to his budget with a lucky bet, something he has been doing for the last 10 years. I don't believe in luck, but I believe that the motivation of the opponents and their kit plays a big role, and any sensation is explainable. I prefer to play cautiously, because it is better to win 5 out of 5 bets at odds of 1.6-1.7 than to lose 2 out of 3 bets at odds of 2.2.

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