Egypt vs Ivory Coast prediction: AFRICA: Africa Cup of Nations – Play Offs betting tips on match 2026-01-09 19:00.
[p]Two Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) heavyweights collide in a blockbuster quarter-final as Egypt, the tournament’s most historically successful side, take on current holders Ivory Coast.[/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]Despite being overwhelming pre-match favourites, Egypt needed extra time to scrape past Benin 3-1 in their Round of 16 encounter, in what was another unconvincing display by the Pharaohs. That was despite manager Hossam Hassan promising improvement in the knockout stages, but Egypt racking up what is now a 14-game unbeaten streak against African nations shows they find a way to grind out results in difficult circumstances (W12, D2). Given they’ve won their last five AFCON quarter-finals, the seven-time champions could finally hit their stride here. [/p]
[p]Ivory Coast produced one of the most dominant displays of the Round of 16, as they dismissed Burkina Faso 3-0 to continue the defence of their third crown. Their experience of making it to the knockout stages in ten of the last 11 AFCON tournaments was telling in that match, as was their winning form which has seen them fail to win only three of their last 11 games (W8, D2, L1). That consistency is not replicated when looking at their recent knockout record in previous AFCONs as, except for when they won the tournament in both 2015 and 2023, they crashed out at or prior to the quarter-finals in the other four editions prior.[/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]Egypt have won four of the last six H2Hs (D1, L1) after eliminating Ivory Coast from AFCON 2021 on penalties, but no other H2H occurring in this decade means the Ivory Coast ought not be deterred.[/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Eight of Egypt’s last 11 matches produced under 2.5 goals in regulation time.[/p]
[p]Egypt have scored just one first-half goal in this AFCON campaign. [/p]
[p]Just three of Ivory Coast’s previous 20 matches saw both teams score.[/p]
[p]Ivory Coast scored first in six of their last eight games.[/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]Egyptian defender Yasser Ibrahim scored in extra-time against Benin, extending his winning streak when scoring to seven games for club and country. Attempting to steal the show will be Amad Diallo, who shone for Ivory Coast with a goal and assist in the Round of 16, while all of his three AFCON goals this campaign have served as the match opener. [/p]
[p]Egypt will be sweating on the fitness of midfielder Trezeguet and defender Mohamed Hamdi after they were both substituted due to injury against Benin. Ivory Coast will have to deal with the suspension of Christ Inao Oulaï due to yellow card accumulation.[/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]The confidence and momentum is seemingly with the Elephants, so we’re expecting Ivory Coast to score the first goal.[/p]
[p][i]Author: Peter Stavrinou[/i][/p]