Verdict: Mohamed Salah over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
In what is a heavyweight AFCON showdown on Saturday night, reigning champions Ivory Coast will meet Egypt in Agadir.
Egypt
Starting with Egypt, while the Pharaohs might have gone about things the hard way earlier in the week as they eventually clinched a 3-1 victory against Benin, Hossam Hassan’s men have largely impressed over in Morocco over the past fortnight. Getting their AFCON adventure underway with a 2-1 win against Zimbabwe on December 22nd, the Reds wrapped up top spot in Group B. Showing no signs of a hangover since their nightmare Arab Cup exit last month, Egypt will be looking to claim a heavyweight AFCON scalp when they travel to Agadir this weekend. Landing a nail-biting penalty shootout victory when they last met the Ivory Coast for an Africa Cup of Nations showdown back in January 2022, Hassan’s side are more than capable of asking some serious questions on Saturday night.
Egypt Team News
Suffering a reported muscle injury during Egypt’s 3-1 victory against Benin on Monday, Egypt are sweating over the fitness of former Aston Villa star Trezequet here. Making a full return earlier in the week, one-time Sporting Lisbon youngster Rami Rabia will start at the heart of Hassan’s defence.
Once again finding the net on Monday and now finding the net in all of his previous three consecutive AFCON appearances, Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah will spearhead Egypt’s charge. Despite extended speculation over his future with Manchester City this month, Omar Marmoush will partner Salah in the final third.
Ivory Coast
As for the Ivory Coast, making real history on home soil two years ago as they got their hands on a third AFCON crown, the Elephants have their sights firmly set on retaining their title this time around. Extending on their knockout stage adventure earlier in the week as they cruised their way to an empathic 3-0 romp against Burkina Faso, Emerse Fae’s side have found a recent clinical edge in the final third. Signing off their Group F campaign with an action-packed 3-2 win against Gabon, the Ivory Coast have also not suffered a single competitive defeat since back in December 2024. Cruising their way to a spot at this summer’s World Cup finals over in North America, Fae’s camp travel to Agadir pencilled in as a standout contender.
Ivory Coast Team News
Suffering a hamstring injury last month, one-time West Ham striker Sebastien Haller has not been included in Fae’s squad. Likewise, in what was a shock omission last month, Sunderland ace Simon Adingra is playing no part over in Morocco.
Continuing to shine over the past fortnight and now finding the net in all of his previous three consecutive AFCON appearances, Manchester United superstar Amad Diallo will play a leading role in attack. Left as an unused substitute earlier in the week, former Crystal Palace skipper Wilfried Zaha could be handed a full recall.
Egypt vs Ivory Coast Key Factors to Consider
- When Saturday’s quarter-finalists last met back in January 2022, Egypt claimed a nail-biting Africa Cup of Nations penalty shootout victory.
- Both Egypt and the Ivory Coast are unbeaten in each of their four AFCON appearances (three wins, one draw).
- The Elephants have recorded 19 goals in their previous six competitive appearances across all competitions.
- Egypt have recorded just a pair of clean sheets from any of their previous 10 appearances across all formats.
- Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah has found the net in all of his previous three consecutive AFCON appearances.
Conclusion
In what is a heavyweight AFCON showdown on Saturday night, there are a number of European-based superstars who will steal centre stage in Agadir. If Egypt are to punch their semi-final ticket and sending the reigning African champions packing, then there is no doubt that their attacking superstar will have more than a leading role to play. Once again finding the net against Benin earlier in the week, Salah has found the net in all of his previous three consecutive AFCON appearances, Liverpool’s record-breaking talisman will be looking to steal all of the headlines here.
Verdict: Mohamed Salah over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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