Cameroon v Ivory Coast: Elephants to progress in tight fixture

They were mooted as strong pre-tournament favourites but things haven’t been as straight forward for Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Available at as short as 3/1 before proceedings got underway in Equatorial Guinea, the Elephants can now be backed at 9/2 after drawing their two opening matches.

And with a crunch tie against Cameroon up next, the need to turn on the style as the group stage comes to an end.

We’ve picked out our three best bets for the tie in Malabo.

Ivory Coast to win and both teams to score @ 11/2 (boosted from 9/2 at 8am on Wednesday 28)

While they are without a win in the tournament so far, the quality the Ivory Coast possess cannot be overlooked.

The likes of Yaya Toure, Wilfried Bony and Seydou Doumbia can transform a game in seconds, and will be key to overseeing a victory over The Indomitable Lions.

But while we think the 13/10 shots are well deserving of their favourites tag, it may not be as straight forward a victory as they would wish.

It seems winning to nil is not something the west African nation can achieve with much ease – seven of their last nine victories have come despite their opponents finding the net.

Salomon Kalou to score any time @ 14/5

With just two goals to their name so far, it is perhaps not a huge surprise that the former Chelsea man hasn’t found the net at this tournament, yet.

While the likes of the aforementioned Toure and Bony are quality when on song, it is Kalou that has bagged five of Ivory Coast’s last 12 goals in competitive fixtures.

So with him netting half of their last dozen of strikes, the price on him finding the net here looks value.

Ivory Coast to win 2-1 @ 9/1

All four matches in this group have finished with a goal apiece, but with nothing separating the quartet, something has to give.

And if the pattern of tight matches is to continue and our first tip is to succeed, we can see Herve Renard’s men triumphing by two goals to one.

This could be the time for the Elephants to show their worth at the top of the betting.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £25 in free bets.