Prediction Cape Verde Islands vs Eswatini 2026 – Betting Tips for the CAF World Cup Qualifiers on 13/10/2025

Match outlook

Cape Verde Islands arrive in this crucial Group Stage fixture sitting top of the pool and carrying the confidence of a side that has largely delivered when it mattered. With nine group matches completed, six wins, two draws and a solitary loss have them on 20 points and in clear control. Their most recent outing produced a wild 3-3 draw with Libya on 8 October, a result that underlined both offensive promise and moments of defensive vulnerability. Still, the underlying numbers speak to a team that can control games: six clean sheets overall and an ability to close out margins when necessary.

Eswatini, conversely, are struggling at the foot of the group. Nine matches have yielded no wins, three draws and six defeats, for a paltry three points. The recent 2-2 draw with Angola offered a glimpse of fight, but the broader trend is troubling — only six goals scored across the campaign and 16 conceded points to a side that lacks cutting power and is often left chasing matches. Their away record shows minimal goal production, with just one away goal recorded in the stats provided.

The two nations met in November 2023 in this qualifying campaign, with Cape Verde winning 2-0 away in Eswatini. That h2h result reinforces the feeling that Cape Verde come into this clash as clear favorites, particularly given their home performances where they have been stingy at the back and effective going forward.

Form and tactical implications

Cape Verde’s form line, while showing the recent draw, includes a string of wins and is bolstered by impressive defensive statistics: an average of over five corners per game, a reasonable shot output and, crucially, six clean sheets. Their shot conversion rate and shot volume indicate a side that can threaten consistently and is not reliant on flukes to find the net.

Eswatini bring tenacity and some attacking intent — their attack average metrics suggest they enter the final third — but their finishing and defensive solidity have been lacking. With clean sheets just once in the campaign and a higher rate of goals conceded, they will struggle to break down a disciplined Cape Verde side away from home.

Prediction and Betting Tip

Given the balance of form, defensive solidity on Cape Verde’s side and Eswatini’s struggles to find victory and score away, this looks like a match where the hosts will control proceedings and are likely to keep the visitors at bay. Expect Cape Verde to take the three points while limiting the scoring opportunities for Eswatini.

Best Bet

Betting suggestion: Goal market — Both Teams to Score: No. This selection aligns with Cape Verde’s strong clean-sheet record and Eswatini’s low goal return on the road; the data supports a likely Cape Verde win without the visitors scoring.