Egypt vs Cape Verde: Al Ain International Cup Friendly Showdown at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium! 🏟️

Hold tight, football faithful! 🔥 The Al Ain International Cup—featuring World Cup qualifiers Cape Verde, Egypt, Iran, and Uzbekistan—ignites with Egypt facing Cape Verde in Al Ain, UAE, on November 17, 2025. Kick-off at 4:00 PM GMT (1:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM EAT), and this neutral-site friendly pits Rui Vitória's Pharaohs—eager to rebound from a 1-1 AFCON qualifier draw—against Bubista's Blue Sharks, riding high after topping their WCQ group. Can Mohamed Salah's magic overwhelm Senegal's conquerors, or will Cape Verde's grit extend their unbeaten streak? Let’s plunge into the form, tactics, and scorching predictions! ⚽

TODAY'S PREDICTION

• Total goals - over 1.5

• Egypt Win or Draw

• Both teams to score - YES

• 2nd half goals - over 0.5

You can place your bets today through various betting sites such as: Betpawa, Sokabet , Sportybet, BetWinner etc.

Current Form and Context

Egypt, fresh off a 1-1 draw in Cape Verde for AFCON 2025 qualifiers (already secured), are unbeaten in 8 across all comps (W7, D1), including a 2-0 win over Botswana. They've scored 12 goals and conceded 2 in recent outings (avg. 1.5 scored per game), with a fortress defense (5 clean sheets in 7). Their last friendly was a 3-0 rout of Iran in this tournament, but away/neutral woes persist (D1, L1 in last 2 Europe trips). With Salah back from Liverpool duties, they're tuning up for WC qualifiers vs Niger and Sudan—expect rotation but firepower.

Cape Verde, WCQ Group D winners with 23 points (W7, D2, L1), stunned with a 0-0 draw vs Iran (4-3 pens win) in the Cup opener. Unbeaten in 10 (W6, D4), they've netted 15 goals and conceded 4 (avg. 1.5 scored), including a 1-1 vs Egypt last week. Their away/neutral form shines (W3 in 11, but D2 in last 3), blending youth like 17-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye with vets. Bubista eyes AFCON prep—historic qualification has them confident, but Egypt's class looms large.

Historical Head-to-Head

Egypt edge this rivalry: 2 wins to Cape Verde's 0 (D1 in 3 meetings), outscoring them 4-2. The latest was that 1-1 AFCON qualifier on Nov 15, 2024 (Osama Faisal for Egypt, Ryan Mendes penalty for Cape Verde). Before that, a 3-0 Egyptian win in 2023. Games average 2.3 goals, with under 2.5 in 2/3—cagey affairs, but both teams scored in the last two. Egypt's last loss to Cape Verde? Never—Pharaohs unbeaten in 5 vs island nations.

Team News and Tactical Insights

Egypt integrate Omar Marmoush (Man City, missed last friendly) alongside Salah (Liverpool, 2 goals in qualifiers). No major injuries post-draw, but Vitória rotates for freshness. His 4-2-3-1 balances possession (55% avg.) and counters, with Marmoush and Mostafa Mohamed flanking Emam Ashour in midfield. Trezeguet (3 assists) stretches play, while El Shenawy's saves (2.8 per game) lock the back. High press to exploit Cape Verde's transitions. Predicted XI: El Shenawy; Hany, Hegazi, Abdelmonem, Maaloul; Fathy, Ashour; Trezeguet, Fathi, Salah; Marmoush. 🐪

Cape Verde boast a full squad post-Iran draw, with Ryan Mendes (penalty hero vs Egypt) and Jovane Cabral key. Bubista’s 4-3-3 thrives on grit and breaks (48% possession avg.), with Gilson Tavares and Jamiro Monteiro pulling strings. Logan Costa anchors defense (3.1 clearances per game), while Bruno Varela's heroics (3 saves vs Egypt) shine. Youth like Mbaye adds pace—target set-pieces (4.2 per game). Predicted XI: Varela; Moreira, Costa, Lopes, Paulo; Monteiro, Duarte, Lenini; Mendes, Tavares, Cabral. 🦈

Match Details

• Date and Time: November 17, 2025, 4:00 PM GMT (1:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM EAT)

• Venue: Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain, UAE (Capacity: 22,717)

• Referee: Not confirmed (FIFA appointee expected)

• Weather: 28°C, sunny—hot and humid for a neutral thriller

• TV/Streaming: beIN Sports (MENA), SuperSport (Africa), ESPN+ (USA), ON Time Sports (Egypt)

💰 Betting View

• Bet on Match Winner: Egypt ✅ (1.80 odds, attacking edge, H2H)

• Both Teams to Score Bet (BTTS): ✅ YES (1.85 odds, last two H2Hs, Cape Verde's streak)

• Over 2.5 Bet on Goals: 🔥 VALUE (2.00 odds, Egypt's 70% over rate, neutral openness)

• Bet on Anytime Scorer: Mohamed Salah ⚡ (+120 odds, 2 goals vs Cape Verde)

• Correct Score Bet : 2-1

Prediction and Key Factors

Egypt's depth (Salah, Marmoush) and unbeaten run (8 games) overpower Cape Verde's grit (10 unbeaten, but D2 in last 3 vs top sides). Pharaohs' press (11 recoveries avg.) disrupts the Sharks' counters, while neutral UAE favors Egypt's quality. Recent 1-1 shows Cape Verde's fight (Mendes threat), but Egypt's finishing (1.8 xG per game) tips it. Low-scoring H2H? Not this time—expect goals in prep mode.

Prediction: Egypt 2-1 Cape Verde. Salah strikes early, Mendes levels, but Marmoush's late winner seals it. Pharaohs momentum builds, Sharks head to AFCON proud. 🌟

Why This Match Matters

Egypt tune up for WC qualifiers (Niger/Sudan), testing post-draw form; Cape Verde, WC-bound historic first-timers, prep for AFCON 2025 in Morocco. Neutral Al Ain adds intrigue—African giants vs island upstarts, a bridge from qualifiers to glory.

Your call, Pharaohs or Blue Sharks? Drop your score predictions on "Post your tips" section and join us for the post-match wildfire! 🗣️ Stay locked for more international infernos and live reactions.

You can place your bets today through various betting sites such as: Betpawa, Sokabet , Sportybet, BetWinner etc.