Africa Cup of Nations: Ivory Coast v Burkina Faso Odds and Betting Preview

MALABO, EQUATORIAL GUINEA - Ivory Coast are even stronger favourites to win the Africa Cup of Nations now that Senegal are out of the competition, but the Elephants still need a result against Burkina Faso in Malabo tonight.

Didier Drogba’s side are strong favourites to win the match at 4/9 with Coral and Stan James, whilst a draw can be backed at 10/3 with Paddy Power. Burkina Faso will be looking for a shock win to try and keep their tournament hopes alive, but a win for the Stallions is as long as 17/2 with BetVictor, which makes them big under-dogs for the Group B game.

Ivory Coast did not exactly answer their critics with a hard-fought 1-0 win over minnows Sudan in their opener, but the three points were essential and puts them in a healthy position. Didier Drogba was the favourite to be the top tournament goalscorer going into the Sudan game, and his headed goal now means that he is as short as 3/1 with bet365 and William Hill for the accolade. The Elephants are on a fine winning run at the moment, and whilst they may not be blitzing their opponents, at least the players seem to be coping under the intense pressure. They will be assured of a spot in the quarter-finals if they beat Burkina Faso and Sudan fail to beat Angola in the earlier kick-off.

Burkina Faso have brought a squad of talented, young players to the tournament, but the way they played in their opener against Angola was hugely disappointing. They thoroughly deserved to lose on the basis of the match, and one of the only positive to take from the game was Alain Traoré’s exquisite free kick from outside the area. The defeat now means the Stallions face an uphill challenge trying to escape out of Group B, and realistically they need at least a draw tonight to remain in the competition, although a shock win would really set Group B up for a grandstand finish. Burkina Faso are 66/1 from 28/1 to win the tournament with Ladbrokes. Abdou Razak Traoré still has passport problems so is unlikely to feature, but Lyon’s Bakary Koné will start, despite punching an opponent on Sunday.

1-0 to Ivory Coast is the preferred correct score in the betting with Ladbrokes at 5/1, and has been the full-time result in each of the Elephants’ previous two games. Considering that Burkina Faso’s coach has been working on tightening his defence, a low-scoring game could be the best way to play the market, although 2-0 to Ivory Coast also warrants attention at 11/2 with Betfred and Blue Square. A 1-1 draw would give some hope for the Stallions at 8/1 with William Hill, although fans of Burkina Faso will be dreaming about a 1-0 upset, which can be backed at 17/1 with Irish firm Paddy Power. Finally 4-0 to Ivory Coast has seen some support with bet365 and is 14/1 from 18/1.

Didier Drogba is now on 52 goals for his country and is the favourite in the first goalscorer market at 10/3 with Blue Square. Drogba is always a threat and deserves plenty of respect in what could be his last international tournament, but Salomon Kalou is also high up in the betting lists at 5/1. CSKA’s Seydou Doumbia is on offer at 6/1 with William Hill to net the first goal of the game, whilst the burden of an entire nation will be on Alain Traoré’s shoulders once again for Burkina Faso, and he is appealing at 16/1 with bet365, even though he plays just behind the strikers.

Ivory Coast are 11/10 with Paddy Power and Sky Bet to lead the game at half-time and full-time, whilst Draw/Ivory Coast is on offer at 7/2 with Ladbrokes. Drogba is 9/2 with bet365 to score two or more goals in the game, and it is 13/8 with William Hill for both team to score.

The match kicks-off at 8.00pm local time on Thursday 26 January, which is 7.00pm in the UK. Punters can watch the action on ITV4.

Ivory Coast v Burkina Faso Match Odds

Ivory Coast v Burkina Faso Correct Score Odds

Ivory Coast v Burkina Faso First Goalscorer Odds

Ivory Coast v Burkina Faso HT/FT Odds