Ivory Coast vs Burkina Faso Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Defending champions the Ivory Coast have performed well as they now take on a Burkina Faso side that have also returned to being a strong team on the continent.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Matches will be televised across the Channel 4 network / USA – beIN Sports
How to watch online: UK – All 4 & Channel 4 Sport YouTube / USA – beIN Sports Connect & Fubo
Ivory Coast preview: Impressive Ivorians
Under the management of Emerse Fae, the Ivory Coast managed to finish at the top of the so-called ‘group of death’ Group F last week, finishing ahead of Cameroon, Mozambique and Gabon in the defence of their CAF Africa Cup of Nations trophy.
Les Elephants finished the group stages with an entertaining and thrilling 3-2 defeat of the Gabonese in Marrakech the other day, courtesy of goals from Jean-Philippe Krasso, Evann Guessand and Bazoumama Toure.
Burkina Faso preview: Improved Burkinabe
In the last decade or so, Burkina Faso had emerged as one of the very strongest teams in African international football and they will believe they can be a challenger, once again, after a strong start to their AFCON campaign.
The visitors squeezed themselves through with two wins sandwiching a defeat against a strong Algeria side in the groups. They have some real quality across the park, especially with the likes of Edmund Tapsoba and Dango Ouattara.
Ivory Coast team news: Attacking injuries
Sebastian Haller had to withdraw at the start of the tournament, replaced by Aston Villa striker Evann Guessand, and they do have issues with Vakoun Bayo being a confirmed absentee, too.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Y. Fofana; Doue, Kossounou, Ndicka, Konan; Kessie, S. Fofana, Sangare; Diallo, Guessand, Diomande
Unavailable: Bayo (Injured)
Questionable:
Burkina Faso team news: Fully fit
Burkina Faso made changes against the Sudanese but with no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues, they are expected to return to a full strength lineup here.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Koffi; Kabore, Dayo, Tapsoba, Kouassi; Nagalo, Toure; B. Traore, Aziz Ki, Ouattara; L. Traore
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Ivory Coast vs Burkina Faso prediction
Mid-way through the last AFCON, the Ivorians decided to change their manager as a group stage elimination appeared inevitable but Fae sparked a major improvement and that has continued to develop in recent years. Burkina Faso, especially on the counter-attack, may not be the most straightforward of opposition but the Ivorians have to be marked out as favourites to get through to the quarter-finals.
Ivory Coast vs Burkina Faso tip: Ivory Coast to win & both teams to score
