Madagascar vs Côte d'Ivoire Prediction & Betting Tips - AFCON

Prediction published on 16/11/2020, 06:06  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 16/11/2020 at 07:07 in Football Predictions

Ivory Coast did their qualification hopes the power of good with a 2-1 home win over Madagascar on Thursday. They went into that match with only three points but went top of the group thanks to two goals in the space of seven second-half minutes. Before that win, they’d beaten Niger 1-0 at home but then lost 2-1 away in Ethiopia. Just three points separate the four teams in this group with two games remaining. Ivory Coast have made to every African Cup of Nations finals since failing to qualify in 2004. They won the title in 2015 but still have work to do to qualify for these finals. They had gone three games without a win before getting that vital win over Madagascar. Away form is a worry though with three defeats in their last four matches. Only one of their last eight Africa Cup of Nations away qualifiers has been lost, but four of the last six have been drawn with one loss.

Madagascar had won both their group games before losing on Thursday. They’d beaten Ethiopia 1-0 at home and then went to Niger and won 6-2. They have only made it to one Africa Cup of Nations finals. That was in 2019 and they surprisingly made it to the quarter finals. They are in inconsistent form though with the last seven games producing three wins and four defeats. Before the loss to Ivory Coast, they had been beaten at home by Burkina Faso (top of their qualifying group) 2-1. They had won their three previous home games before that defeat. Only one of their last five home qualifiers have been lost. A bet on both teams to score looks the safest wager for this match.