South Africa will be expected to make life difficult for Ivory Coast when they begin their Africa Cup of Nations campaign tonight. Bet on the match here.
Ivory Coast come into this tournament in good form and they have a squad which puts most of the other sides to shame. The Elephants won against Zambia in their last friendly, after winning 4-1 following goals from Jonathan Kodjia, Jean Michael Seri, Maxwel Cornet and Wilfried Bony.
Bafana Bafana are on the up and have the capacity to stand up to any team on the continent when on form. Stuart Baxter’s men were undefeated in the qualifiers, taking four points apiece off Nigeria, Libya and Seychelles.
Betting preview
The Elephants have won four of their last five games, while South Africa have lost two of their last three in this competition. Ivory Coast have a slightly better squad and therefore backing them to win promises good returns at odds of 2.00 here.
The last two meetings out three between Ivory Coast and South Africa ended with both teams finding the back of the net. With the attacking talent available to both sides there is value in backing Both Teams to Score priced at 2.50 here.
Three of the Elephant’s last five outings have seen many goals scored and we think that will continue here. There has been Over 2.5 Goals in three of their last five outings and therefore you can back that at odds of 2.20.
Team news
Manchester United’s Eric Bailly is ruled out through injury whilst Wilfried Zaha, Nicolas Pepe, Franck Kessie and Bony are all expected to feature here.
Darren Keet is expected to start in goal for South Africa after his performance in the 2-1 away win over Libya which sealed their Africa Cup of Nations spot. Percy Tau has won plenty of admirers and he should feature from the onset.
Possible lineups
Ivory Coast: Gbohouo, Doumbia, Traoré, Kanon, Aurier, Kessie, Seri, Gbamin, Gradel, Pépé, Kodjia
South Africa: Keet, Mkhwanazi, Hlanti, Hlatahwayo, Zwane, Mokodjo, Furman, Maela, mkhize, Tau, Mothiba