Sudan vs Burkina Faso prediction: AFRICA: Africa Cup of Nations betting tips on match 2025-12-30 16:00.
[p]Sudan and Burkina Faso fight for the second direct knockout berth from Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group E, with plenty at stake in this matchday three encounter.[/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]An own goal sealed Sudan a scrappy 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, keeping them in the hunt for a knockout spot at AFCON for just the second time since winning the title in 1970. It was only their second win in 14 previous matches (D3, L9), and another victory here will see the Falcons of Jediane grab a direct knockout position behind Algeria. That would need James Kwesi Appiah’s men to post consecutive wins for the first time since last December, while one point is enough to finish third and remain in contention to qualify as one of the four best third-placed teams.[/p]
[p]Burkina Faso’s seven-match unbeaten (W6, D1) run came to an end with a 1-0 defeat to Algeria on Sunday, but they are in a prime position to secure a top-two finish. A matchday one win and a better goal difference than Sudan means they just need a draw to finish second and advance directly to the knockouts for the fourth consecutive time in AFCON finals appearances. Should they lose, then Brama Traoré’s men would face a nervous wait to see if they progress as one of the four best third-placed teams. The Stallions should gain confidence from their pedigree at the tournament though, having reached at least the semi-finals in four of the five previous occasions they progressed from the group stages.[/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]The two sides’ only previous meeting was in the 2012 AFCON group stage when Sudan claimed a 2-1 win on matchday three to secure a quarter-final place.[/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Only two of Sudan’s last 12 matches saw both teams score.[/p]
[p]Five of Sudan’s last seven defeats have come by a 2+ goal margin.[/p]
[p]Six of Burkina Faso’s last eight games saw the half-time result replicated at full-time.[/p]
[p]Burkina Faso scored 15 of their last 16 goals after the 30th minute.[/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]Mohamed Abdelrahman is yet to find the net at an AFCON finals, but could make a late impact with each of his last five Sudan goals coming past the hour mark. Dango Ouattara assisted in Burkina Faso’s matchday one win and his side are unbeaten in nine goalscoring caps (W7, D2).[/p]
[p]Neither side appear to have any fresh injury concerns, while Salaheldin Alhassan returns for Sudan after missing Sunday’s game due to suspension.[/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]The Stallions will hope that loss to Algeria is just a minor blip, so backing Burkina Faso to win could fetch profits.[/p]
[p][i]Author: Sridhar Bhamidi[/i][/p]