Côte d’Ivoire vs Guinea-Bissau Preview & Prediction | 2023 Africa Cup of Nations | Group Stage
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
THE FACTS
When is Côte d’Ivoire vs Guinea-Bissau on and what time does it start? Côte d’Ivoire vs Guinea-Bissau will take place on Saturday 13th January, 2024 – 20:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Côte d’Ivoire vs Guinea-Bissau? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Côte d’Ivoire vs Guinea-Bissau on in the UK? Côte d’Ivoire vs Guinea-Bissau will be televised live on Sky Sports
Where can I stream Côte d’Ivoire vs Guinea-Bissau in the UK? Sky Sports subscribers can stream Côte d’Ivoire vs Guinea-Bissau live on Sky GO
THE LOWDOWN
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Côte d’Ivoire are aiming to lift a third Africa Cup of Nations title after having gone nine years without success since then. While the days of Didier Drogba, the Toure brothers and Emmanuel Adebayor may be behind them, Côte d’Ivoire still boasts a squad packed full of very good players plying their trade across the world.
Crucially, Jean-Louis Gasset can call upon a number of players who were part of the Côte d’Ivoire side who lifted silverware back in 2015. Serge Aurier now captains the side, whilst another starter in that famous penalty-shoot-out win against Ghana, Max-Alain Gradel has also been called up to the squad.
GUINEA-BISSAU
Guinea-Bissau are all geared up for their fourth straight Africa Cup of Nations competition and they’ll be hoping that this is finally the one which sees them break out of the group stage. They’ve been dealt a tough hand though and the host nation on opening night represents a real trial by fine for this team.
Victory over Sao Tome and Principe in the qualifying stage ultimately sealed their place at the tournament, further cementing the legacy of head coach Baciro Cande, who will no doubt inject belief into his players that they can cause a big shock.
THE TEAM NEWS
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Borussia Dortmund striker Sebastien Haller missed his country’s warm-up fixture against Sierra Leone with an ankle problem and faces a race against time to be pissed fit for this opening game. Should Haller make it, then he is likely to start in attack potentially alongside Jonathan Bamba and Christian Kouame.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Y. Fofana; Aurier, Ndicka, Diomande, Konan; Kessie, S. Fofana, Sangare; Kouame, Haller, Bamba
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Haller (Injured)
GUINEA-BISSAU
Vitoria SC’s Celton Biai refused his call-up ahead of the competition and thus won’t feature at all in the Ivory Coast. Having said that, skipper Jonas Mendes is the starting goalkeeper for Guinea-Bissau anyway and could have a big part to play here.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): J. Mendes; H. Mendes, Djalo, Sangante, Cande; N. Gomes, Bikel; Quizera, C. Mendes Gomes, Rodrigues; Gano
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Côte d’Ivoire are unbeaten in each of their last 12 opening games at the Africa Cup of Nations and are well-placed to make it ‘lucky 13’ here on their own patch. When assessing both squads, Côte d’Ivoire boasts significantly more experience and proven ability at the highest level. Guinea-Bissau won’t prove pushovers, but Côte d’Ivoire will be expected to wind up too strong for them, eventually winning out over the 90 minutes.
TIP: CÔTE D’IVOIRE TO WIN
