African Cup of Nations: Nigeria fantastic price against holders

The goalless draw between Niger and the Democratic Republic of Congo proved to be the first accurate African Cup of Nations tip we’ve mustered since the tournament’s commencement and now we’ve got the ball rolling, we’re anticipating an influx of winners from here on in. See what you make of our selections for the upcoming games.

Zambia v Nigeria

The tournament holders were very fortunate to draw with 10-man Ethiopia last time out and their uninspiring form doesn’t bode well ahead of a clash with the Super Eagles.

Having managed just a single goal in their current five-match winless run, 11/5 to win the game should be swerved like a dead deer in the road. The Nigerians 5/4 offering, in stark contrast, looks very generous and cannot be sniffed at.

Stephen Keshi’s men have not been beaten in nine outings and, although they’ve only won four times in this stretch, they’ve helped themselves to 10 goals in their previous four. These figures can mean only one thing – an over 2.5 goals bet.

It’s available to back at 6/4 here and, this too, shouldn’t be ignored.

Zambia lack Nigeria’s new-found thirst for goals; an ability to keep the score down keeps them in games when their attackers aren’t doing the business.

This, as it happens, is more often than not of late and it’s worth backing one or neither team to notch in this one at 4/6. Seven of Zambia’s last eight would have seen this bet cop and none of their opponents have been as strong as Nigeria so, in theory, they should find goals hard to come by once more.

Burkina Faso v Ethiopia

With one loss in 12, the Ethiopians come into this game in great form and could put themselves into qualification contention with a win over Burkina Faso.

A lofty price of 3/1 says they’ll see off their West African rivals in Nelspruit and their record of just two clean sheets in seven attempts should not cause them too many problems against a far from free-scoring Burkina Faso.

Alain Traore’s injury-time equaliser against the Nigerians was the first time they’d troubled the scorers in three.

Both teams to register in this one pays out at a handsome 11/10 though, taking Burkina’s apparent lack of a goal threat into consideration, it might be worth having a flutter on a clean sheet for the Black Lions at 5/2.

All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date