Two of the strongest teams on the continent clash on Thursday in the third quarter-final of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, two-time winners Ivory Coast take on 1990 champions Algeria at the Suez Stadium. The two sides have last met at the same stage of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015 and back then Ivory Coast defeated Algeria 3-1 en route to their second trophy. Algeria have not won a match against Ivory Coast since a 3-0 victory at the 1990 Africa Cup of Nations, when they grabbed their only crown.
Ivory Coast have been quite strong so far at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, they defeated South Africa 1-0 and Namibia 4-1 in the group stage either side of a 1-0 defeat against group winners Morocco. Then, in the first knockout round, Ivory Coast defeated Mali 1-0 thanks to a second-half goal from Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha. Head coach Ibrahim Kamara is still without Tottenham right-back Serge Aurier, so Mamadou Bagayoko will keep his place in the starting eleven.
Algeria are the only team left in the tournament with an 100 percent record at this point, they have won all their four matches so far and haven't conceded any goals either. In the group stage they won 2-0 against Kenya, 1-0 against Senegal and 3-0 against Tanzania, while in the round of sixteen they defeated Guinea 3-0. Head coach Djamel Belmadi is not expected to make any changes to the starting eleven.
Probable line-ups:
Ivory Coast: Gbohouo - Bagayoko, Koulibaly, Kanon, Traore - Gbamin, Serey Die - Kessie, Pepe, Zaha - Kodjia
Algeria: M'Bolhi - Atal, Bensebaini, Mandi, Benlamri - Mahrez, Feghouli, Bennacer, Guedioura - Bounedjah, Belaili
My prediction:
Ivory Coast didn't really deserve to beat Mali in the last sixteen, they defended for most of the game and struck on a counter attack. I expect Algeria to dominate the match and eventually win it 2-0.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Ivory Coast win - 4.00
Draw - 3.00
Algeria win - 2.15
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Comments (1)
sharpe
07/16/19, 05:07:46 PM
I think Ivory Coast were one of the disappointing teams according what's been expected from the team despite reaching the quarters of the tournament. Certainly...
I think Ivory Coast were one of the disappointing teams according what's been expected from the team despite reaching the quarters of the tournament. Certainly Algeria has shown a better style throughout the tournament and in this particular game as well so they could of won that even more convincingly. Ivory Coast has the players but they don't have the team in my opinion.
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