Egypt vs South Africa prediction: AFRICA: Africa Cup of Nations betting tips on match 2025-12-25 15:00.
[p]Matchday one victories, both by a 2-1 scoreline, solidified Egypt and South Africa’s status as the favoured nations to progress from Group B, giving the winner of this clash a significant likelihood of facing a third-placed qualifier in the Round of 16.[/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]Egypt are amongst the favourites to lift the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy in mid-January and retained their status despite needing a stoppage time winner to get past rank outsiders Zimbabwe (#139). The Pharaohs suffered the scare of a half-time deficit but, having amassed 77% possession and 35 shot attempts, managed to convert their thorough domination into three points, meaning they have now already eclipsed their disastrous winless campaign in 2023. Following a winless Arab Cup tournament earlier this month, Egypt will now be desperate for their first clean sheet in eight games to send a message to their title rivals.[/p]
[p]South Africa are widely expected to finish second in Group B and come into this contest after needing a late winning goal of their own to claim three points in an evenly-matched game with Angola. It was a successful return to AFCON for the 2023 bronze medallists, who have subsequently now won five of their eight AFCON matches (D1, L2) since the start of the previous edition. Their 26-spot deficit to Egypt in the FIFA rankings is just one reason why they are the underdogs in this contest, but with a 12-game unbeaten run (W6, D6) that began in July, Bafana Bafana might feel confident about taking at least one point here. [/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]South Africa are unbeaten against Egypt since 2010 (W4, D2) after the teams played twice in qualifying for the African Nations Championship (in which only homegrown players are eligible) earlier this year. Each match saw both teams score, although six of the last seven produced under 2.5 goals.[/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Five of Egypt’s last six games saw both teams score. [/p]
[p]Egypt didn’t lead at half-time in any of their last five matches. [/p]
[p]Three of South Africa’s last 13 AFCON finals games saw both teams score. [/p]
[p]Of South Africa’s last 15 wins, 12 were accompanied by a 2+ goal margin. [/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]Omar Marmoush can’t buy a goal for Manchester City but continues to succeed for Egypt, scoring in three of his last four internationals – he’s now unbeaten in his last ten internationals (W7, D3). Oswin Appollis is in similarly imperious form, scoring in four internationals this year and winning all four. [/p]
[p]Both sides appear to have a clean bill of health after their opening assignments. [/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]The Pharaohs were unlucky not to steamroll Zimbabwe, so a similar performance could see Egypt win by 2+ goals here.[/p]
[p][i]Author: Aaron Murphy[/i][/p]