After following up their draw with Spain by holding Uruguay, Cape Verde keep on surprising people at this World Cup.
- Chris Sutton predicts all 104 World Cup games and names his expected finishing order for each group.
- BBC used Microsoft Copilot Chat to generate the AI predictions for the group matches.
- Belgium have been disappointing but Sutton expects them to beat New Zealand and revive hopes (predicted 1-3).
- Spain must win to top Group H; Sutton predicts a comprehensive victory over Uruguay (1-4).
But some of you were not caught out this time.
While 99.65% of the users playing the BBC’s new predictor game backed them to lose against Spain, ‘only’ 83% thought they would be beaten by Uruguay too.
The users have got some predictions right, however, and overall they are doing better than BBC Sport predictions expert Chris Sutton and AI.
Chris got 14 results correct in the second round of 24 group games, compared to 12 from the first set of fixtures.
AI also did better this time, up from 13 to 15/24, but the users made an even bigger improvement, with a score of 18/24 compared to 13 last time.
How will everyone fare in the final set of matches, including Scotland versus Brazil and England against Panama?
Chris is predicting the outcome of all 104 games at the World Cup, and he has also picked the order he thinks each of the 12 groups will finish in.
AI’s predictions have been generated using Microsoft Copilot Chat. We simply asked the tool to ‘predict the results of the second round of World Cup group games’.
The new BBC predictor game allows readers to pick a winner from every match, or go for a draw.
GROUP A
Sutton’s pre-tournament picks: South Korea (winners) and Mexico (runners-up). Czech Republic to finish third and South Africa fourth.
Czech Republic v Mexico
Mexico City / Thursday, 25 June / 02:00 BST
Mexico are through to the last 32 as group winners whatever happens in this one, so they will probably make a lot of changes.
That could given an opportunity to the Czech Republic, who need a win to have a chance of making it through.
But Mexico are on their home territory, back at Estadio Azteca where I watched them thump South Africa.
As my 5 live commentary partner Alistair Bruce-Ball said to me, they will want to do their country proud, and the altitude won’t help the Czech Republic either.
Sutton’s prediction: 0-1
AI’s prediction: 1-2
South Africa v South Korea
Monterrey / Thursday, 25 June / 02:00 BST
South Africa can still get out of this group after their late equaliser from the spot against the Czech Republic, but they were poor when I watched them against Mexico.
South Korea are a much better footballing team and I can see them creating plenty of chances against South Africa, the same as Mexico did.
Sutton’s prediction: 0-2
AI’s prediction: 1-2
GROUP B
Sutton’s pre-tournament picks: Switzerland (winners) and Canada (runners-up). Bosnia-Herzegovina to finish third and Qatar fourth.
Bosnia-Herzegovina v Qatar
Seattle / Wednesday, 24 June / 20:00
Both of these teams lost heavily last time out, and need a win to have a chance of progressing.
It is Bosnia-Herzegovina who I think will get it. They were competitive against Switzerland for most of that match and I can see them edging this.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-0
AI’s prediction: 2-0
Switzerland v Canada
Vancouver / Wednesday, 24 June / 20:00
Canada got a really good win against Qatar. They were obviously helped by Qatar’s two red cards but were lively in attack when it was 11 versus 11.
Switzerland really impressed me against Bosnia, though. Johan Manzambi was brilliant when he came on and I would not be surprised if he starts this one.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
AI’s prediction: 2-1
GROUP C
Sutton’s pre-tournament picks: Brazil (winners) and Scotland (runners-up). Morocco to finish third and Haiti fourth.
Morocco v Haiti
Atlanta / Wednesday, 24 June / 23:00
Haiti are going home but Morocco have got a chance of winning this World Cup.
They are superbly organised, and the only question for me is whether they have got enough goals in their team.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-0
AI’s prediction: 2-0
Scotland v Brazil
Miami / Wednesday, 24 June / 23:00
I worry a bit for Scotland here. I don’t think they will be taken apart but I am expecting them to lose this and then face an anxious wait to see if they will go through in third place.
I think they will make it to the last 32, but not from getting anything from this game.
Sutton’s prediction: 0-2
AI’s prediction: 1-3
GROUP D
Sutton’s pre-tournament picks: Turkey (winners) and Paraguay (runners-up). United States to finish third and Australia fourth.
Paraguay v Australia
San Francisco / Friday, 26 June / 03:00
Paraguay need to win this to take second place from Australia – a draw won’t be enough.
Australia are quite resilient and like to play on the counter. They carry a threat too and I was going to say this would end in a draw but I have changed my mind.
This should be a really good match and I think Paraguay will nick the win they need late on.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
AI’s prediction: 2-1
Turkey v USA
Los Angeles / Friday, 26 June / 03:00
The USA have done well so far but Turkey are going home after two defeats.
It’s the same old story for Turkey really – they have got some quality players and yet they mess up when they get to a major finals. They have been a massive disappointment and have been left just playing for pride.
The USA are guaranteed to top the group and will make changes. Because of that, I’m going for a draw.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-1
AI’s prediction: 2-1
GROUP E
Sutton’s pre-tournament picks: Germany (winners) and Ecuador (runners-up).
Ivory Coast to finish third and Curacao fourth.
Curacao v Ivory Coast
Philadelphia / Thursday, 25 June / 21:00
This is a big game for Ivory Coast who need a win to go through.
Curacao have been a good story and got a great draw against Ecuador, but Ivory Coast should have too much firepower for them.
Sutton’s prediction: 0-1
AI’s prediction: 0-2
Ecuador v Germany
New York / Thursday, 25 June / 21:00
Germany are through as group winners so, again, they will make changes.
Ecuador have been a disappointment so far, and they haven’t scored yet – they should put that right if Germany are not at full strength.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-1
AI’s prediction: 1-3
GROUP F
Sutton’s pre-tournament picks: Japan (winners) and Netherlands (runners-up). Tunisia to finish third and Sweden fourth.
Japan v Sweden
Dallas / Friday, 26 June / 00:00
Alistair Bruce-Ball is tipping Japan for the World Cup and we are both looking forward to covering them for 5 Live here.
Technically Japan are an excellent team but, while I don’t see them going the distance myself, I think they are well-drilled and will be able to keep Sweden’s strikers Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres quiet.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
AI’s prediction: 2-1
Tunisia v Netherlands
Kansas City / Friday, 26 June / 00:00
Tunisia have had a tournament to forget and I don’t see things changing for them here.
The Netherlands were really impressive when I watched them take Sweden apart.
They will definitely win but how many they score this time just depends on how committed they are to getting goals.
Sutton’s prediction: 0-4
AI’s prediction: 0-2
GROUP G
Sutton’s pre-tournament picks: Belgium (winners) and Egypt (runners-up). New Zealand to finish third and Iran fourth.
Egypt v Iran
Seattle / Saturday, 27 June / 04:00
Iran are such a gutsy team. They defended so well in their draw against Belgium and they had chances too – they can be direct when they want to be.
Egypt will have too much for them, though. I am going for Mohamed Salah’s men to win this game, and top the group.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
AI’s prediction: 1-0
New Zealand v Belgium
Vancouver / Saturday, 27 June / 04:00
Belgium have been a massive disappointment so far, but things should finally improve for them here.
A lot depends on whether they bring their shooting boots, but I can see New Zealand’s World Cup kind of petering out.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-3
AI’s prediction: 0-3
GROUP H
Sutton’s pre-tournament picks: Spain (winners) and Uruguay (runners-up). Saudi Arabia to finish third and Cape Verde fourth.
Cape Verde v Saudi Arabia
Houston / Saturday, 27 June / 01:00
Cape Verde have been brilliant so far but I don’t see them making the knockout stage.
They need to win this game to get out of the group, whereas their draws against Uruguay and, especially, Spain came from them trying to contain the opposition.
Saudi Arabia were outplayed by Spain and have done a lot of defending so far but they should have some chances themselves in this one.
Sutton’s prediction: 0-2
AI’s prediction: 1-2
Uruguay v Spain
Guadalajara / Saturday, 27 June / 01:00
Uruguay have been a big disappointment and have been left needing something from this game. I don’t see them getting it.
Spain need a win to make sure of winning the group, so they won’t rest anyone here. They will be hard to stop.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-4
AI’s prediction: 1-2
GROUP I
Sutton’s pre-tournament picks: Senegal (winners) and France (runners-up). Norway to finish third and Iraq fourth.
Norway v France
Boston / Friday, 26 June / 20:00
This is to decide who wins the group and the consequences are quite big – the runners-up would play the runners-up in Group D and then possibly run into Brazil in the last 16.
France’s firepower is the reason I am backing them to win the World Cup and I am backing Kylian Mbappe to outscore Erling Haaland here, and help Les Bleus take the win.
I thought Norway had won the World Cup after seeing the way they celebrated their win over Senegal. They won’t be doing the same after this game.
Sutton’s prediction: 0-2
AI’s prediction: 1-2
Senegal v Iraq
Toronto / Friday, 26 June / 20:00
After two defeats so far, Senegal will be desperate to win and win well.
They will get the better of Iraq but they will probably need to score a few goals to improve their goal difference if they are going to sneak through as one of the best third-placed teams.
Sutton’s prediction: 3-0
AI’s prediction: 2-0
GROUP J
Sutton’s pre-tournament picks: Argentina (winners) and Austria (runners-up). Algeria to finish third and Jordan fourth.
Algeria v Austria
Kansas City / Sunday, 28 June / 03:00
Algeria need to win this to move above Austria and into second place.
I fancy Austria, though. I think they will out-work them under manager Ralf Rangnick.
Sutton’s prediction: 0-2
AI’s prediction: 1-2
Jordan v Argentina
Dallas / Sunday, 28 June / 03:00
Argentina will make changes after wrapping up the group, and I think one of them will be to leave out Lionel Messi.
Resting him now will help their chances of winning this tournament but not his hopes of winning the Golden Boot or adding to his tally as the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer.
His fans won’t be happy but you’ve got to wrap him in cotton wool. And, Messi or no Messi, Jordan just won’t be able to live with them in terms of goals.
Sutton’s prediction: 0-3
AI’s prediction: 0-3
GROUP K
Sutton’s pre-tournament picks: Colombia (winners) and Portugal (runners-up). DR Congo to finish third and Uzbekistan fourth.
Colombia v Portugal
Miami / Sunday, 28 June / 00:30
This is big, because Portugal need the victory to top the group.
I saw their big win over Uzbekistan last time out, but this will be far tougher. I am going to go for a bit of an upset here, and for Colombia to get a draw.
Cristiano Ronaldo will get both of Portugal’s goals but it won’t be enough to see them top the group.
Not to worry though, because he will carry on until the 2040 World Cup!
Sutton’s prediction: 2-2
AI’s prediction: 1-2
DR Congo v Uzbekistan
Atlanta / Sunday, 28 June / 00:30
I am covering this game with Alistair Bruce-Ball and expecting DR Congo to take the points.
Uzbekistan were quite weak when we saw them against Portugal and the DR Congo frontline of Yoane Wissa and Cedric Bakambu have impressed us.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-0
AI’s prediction: 2-1
GROUP L
Sutton’s pre-tournament picks: England (winners) and Ghana (runners-up). Croatia to finish third and Panama fourth.
Croatia v Ghana
Philadelphia / Saturday, 27 June / 22:00
Ghana will win this. I thought they were excellent against England and unlucky not to get more than a point. They should have been awarded a penalty in the second half and, separately, Jordan Pickford was lucky to avoid a red card too.
They looked really well organised under Carlos Queiroz and I can see them getting the better of this ageing Croatia team, which looks old and tired – a little bit like Alistair and myself at the moment.
Sutton’s prediction: 0-1
AI’s prediction: 2-1
Panama v England
New York / Saturday, 27 June / 22:00
Thomas Tuchel’s England half-time team talk obviously didn’t work against Ghana. He got a lot of praise for what he said in the dressing room at the interval against Croatia as they claimed an impressive win, but this time it didn’t work.
I am expecting Tuchel to make a few changes, but not a lot – they need to win this game. Harry Kane will start but maybe Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford will come in on the wings.
I’d like to see Tuchel start Saka, instead of Noni Madueke and Nico O’Reilly has to start at left-back rather than Djed Spence – he is a better all-round footballer.
Panama have only lost 1-0 in both their games so far, but I can see England winning this more comfortably. Kane will come good after missing that big late chance against Ghana, and he will be back in the goals.
Sutton’s prediction: 0-3
AI’s prediction: 0-3
