Some big guns are in Africa Cup of Nations action on Thursday when host nation Ivory Coast take on Nigeria and Egypt clash with Ghana
Ivory Coast 23/20 Draw 21/10 Nigeria 28/10
Group A is topped by Ivory Coast who have 3 points, Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea both have 1 point and Guinea Bissau have yet to open their account.
As hosts Ivory Coast were involved in the opening game on Saturday, they were short priced favourites to see off Guinea Bissau and they obliged for favourite backers with a 2-0 win. Goals early in the first half from Fofana and then Krasso in the second got the job done and victory here would surely seal a last 16 spot ahead of their final group match against Equatorial Guinea,
Nigeria were also a warm order to win their opening match against Equatorial Guinea last Sunday but they fell behind on 36 minutes and despite levelling through Osimhen just 2 minutes later there was no further scoring. Osimhen missed a golden opportunity to put Nigeria in front in the second half and they worked the opposing keeper on a number of occasions but there was to be no way through.
It leaves Nigeria with work to do as defeat here would see them under huge pressure going into their final group match against Guinea Bissau but remember there are best third placed finisher places available as an alternative route into the last 16.
Verdict:
I doubt either side would be too upset with a draw although another win would give them scope to rotate in their final group match as well as heaping pressure on the Super Eagles.
It looks a tricky call but the draw still gets the vote.
Bet: Match result draw at 21/10 with BoyleSports
Egypt 21/20 Draw 21/10 Ghana 3.25/1
We move into Group B for our second match on Thursday and this quartet is topped by Cape Verde who have 3 points, Mozambique and Egypt both have 1 and Ghana are under pressure with no points.
Egypt were expected to have few problems in their opening game against Mozambique but they ended up scrambling a 2-2 draw. They went in front through Abdalla in just the second minute and it stayed that way until Mozambique equalized on 55 minutes. Just 3 minutes later Mozambique were 3-1 in front and Egypt needed an injury time penalty from Mo Salah to earn a draw.
Ghana opened their campaign against Cape Verde on Sunday and they were on the wrong end of another shock result as they went down 2-1. Warning signs were then when Cape Verde opened the scoring on 17 minutes and although the Black Stars levelled through Djiku on 56 minutes Cape Verde found the winner in the injury time.
Verdict:
There are big question marks against both sides after the results in the opening round of group matches and Ghana are looking to avoid a repeat of the finals in Cameroon 2 years ago when they finished bottom of their group with 1 point and failed to make the last 16.
Still, both nations need a win to get back on track and with the respective defences looking vulnerable in their previous matches I'm happy to take my chances with both sides finding the net.
Bet: Both teams to score? (yes) at 1.42/1 with BoyleSports
Note, odds are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
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