Decisive clash in Yaounde
Perhaps Africa is the hardest place to qualify for the World Cup. Many teams there are of a very decent standard, but there are only five tickets available for the entire continent. Therefore, even before the final play-offs, some notable teams will be left on the sidelines. Either Cameroon or Ivory Coast will get it on Tuesday.
Both teams will kick together in one group, but only the winner of this pool will qualify for the play-offs. With this in mind, Tuesday’s head-to-head clash between these two West African superpowers takes on a very special significance, as both still have a chance of finishing first before this final match.
We don’t even want to talk about better prospects at this point. The Elephants are ahead with 13 points. Cameroon have one point less before the home game. The starting position is clear. The indomitable lions need a win, the Ivorians need a draw. It is extremely difficult to make a prediction on the group winner before the match between Cameroon and Ivory Coast.
What is certain is that Malawi and Mozambique have already been knocked out of the group and the focus is on the direct clash between the two top teams. In our opinion, the chances are 50:50, with the Elephants having the advantage of being able to take a wait-and-see approach to this match against.
Cameroon – Statistics & current form
Even though the Africa Cup will be played in their own country in two months, the 2022 World Cup is currently in the foreground, at least until Tuesday. Only then will the focus turn to the home tournament. Whether defiance or greater anticipation will prevail then depends largely on whether the indomitable lions manage a victory in Yaounde
Good form for the Lions
The Cameroonians have lost only one of their last eight matches, though only the two Test matches against Nigeria have been challenging, and of course the away game in Côte d’Ivoire, which the Cameroonians blew 2-1. This record continues to make it no easier to target the right odds between Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire.
On Saturday, Toni Conceicao’s team had a relaxed game. The away game against Malawi was on the agenda in Johannesburg. The hosts saw a red card after 20 minutes and from then on the Lions had an easy game. Vincent Aboubakar, Franck Zambo Anguissa and Christian Bassogog (2) ensured a clear 4-0 victory with their goals.
It is exciting that with Andre Onana, the regular keeper has returned to the team after a long ban for doping. However, there are also negative aspects in terms of personnel, as Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting is in quarantine. In addition, Ambroise Oyongo and Clinton N’Jie are still out.
Predicted line-up of Cameroon:
Onana – Ngadeu-Ngadjui, Billong, Tolo, Mbaizo – Ngamaleu, Zambo Anguissa, Oum Gouet, Hongla, Yma – Aboubakar, Toko Ekambi – Coach: Toni Conceicao
Côte d’Ivoire – Statistics & Current form
The Ivorians have arguably one of the best squads in all of Africa. However, the Elephants have always been accused of a certain phlegm in recent years. Under coach Patrice Beaumelle, however, the Ivory Coast seem to have shed this now and if we look at the state of this team, it would be a tragedy if they did not make it to the play-offs.
Elephants long unbeaten
Ivory Coast have been unbeaten for eleven matches and recently won four in a row. The team seems ripe to be back at a World Cup after 2006, 2010 and 2014. That’s why we think it might not be a good idea to predict a defeat for the Elephants in the Cameroon versus Côte d’Ivoire clash.
On Saturday, however, the Ivorians found it extremely difficult at home against Mozambique. Basically, it was only thanks to their efficiency that they ended up with a seemingly unchallenged 3-0 victory after goals from Max Gradel, Maxwell Cornet and Jean-Michael Seri. The game itself was rather even.
In terms of personnel, the main question is what will happen to Nicolas Pepe. The Arsenal attacker is currently not in the form to play from the start. However, it says a lot about the quality of this team to have such a player available as a wild card in the course of the game.
Predicted line-up of Ivory Coast:
Gbohouo – Aurier, Boly, Kossounou – Gradel, Seri, Kamara, Kessie, Traore – Haller, Cornet – Coach: Beaumelle
Cameroon – Côte d’Ivoire Direct comparison / H2H Ranking
Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire teams keep running into each other. In total, there have been 21 duels between these two teams. The direct comparison is only just in favour of the Ivorians, who are 9:8 ahead after victories. The two sides have drawn four times.
The last encounter was around two months ago. The Elephants won in Abidjan, mainly thanks to a very good performance by Sebastien Haller. The former Frankfurt player gave his team a 2-0 lead by half-time with a brace. The indomitable Lions could only manage the final goal through a penalty by Nicolas Ngamaleu.
Cameroon – Côte d’Ivoire Tip
Cameroon desperately need the home win to make it into the African playoffs. For this very reason, it is extremely bitter that one of the team’s big stars, Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting, is not available. Such a loss can be compensated for against Malawi or Mozambique, but against the Ivory Coast?
The Elephants have not lost for eleven matches and have almost everything of note on board. Perhaps the Ivorians currently have the best team in Africa. We don’t think Patrice Beaumelle’s side will fail on Tuesday and that’s why we’re leaning more towards a double chance X2 bet between Cameroon and Ivory Coast.
Even an Ivorian victory is not out of the question. Against this backdrop, the odds on a win for the visitors seem very interesting.
