TODAY sees the start of the Africa Cup of Nations where there are loads of top stars on show and it's a tournament that can be pretty punter friendly.
The action starts at 4pm with hosts Equatorial Guinea facing Congo at 4pm followed by Burkina Faso v Gabon. That second match at 7pm features a Burkina Faso side who have been tipped to go far – and even as possible winners by some.
Burkina Faso and Gabon are expected to qualify from a group featuring two of the lowest-ranked sides in the tournament and a draw would suit both so that's my shout tonight at 19-10 with Paddy Power and bet365.
Ivory Coast are the 4-1 favourites at Coral followed by Algeria and Tunisia but north African nations tend to under-perform in central Africa so moving the event from Morocco will have gone against Algeria and Tunisia.
Cameroon, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Gabon and Senegal are possibly the only other countries in with any kind of chances.
I've not had enough time to research the tournament but if Ivory Coast can defend well and get plenty out of their star men such as Wilfried Bony, Yaya Toure, Check Tiote and Gervinho they'll go close.
Man City new boy Bony is 6-1 with Betfred and Ladbrokes to be tournament top scorer but I'm taking an each-way chance on Schalke star Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting who is netted 10 goals this season for the Bundesliga men and 12 in 33 for his country. He is 14-1 with firms such as William Hill, bet365 and Ladbrokes.
Having looked at the groups it's difficult to se Burkina Faso, Tunisia and Algeria not qualifing and I'm advising that as a treble.
I've seen plenty of tips already so feel free to add them here and I'll put more info into this thread later including best prices.
Recommended Bet
Burkina Faso to qualify (Group A)
Tunisia to qualify (Group B)
Algeria to qualify (Grouo C)
(5-2, bet365)
Choupo-Moting top scorer
(14-1, Ladbrokes, bet365, William Hill)
Burkina Faso v Gabon draw (7pm)
(19-10, Paddy Power, bet365)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Posted these a couple of days ago
Dont know if any of these have been mentioned yet but 3 tips here for the Africa Cup of Nations
2 of these tips are the same as the 2013 tournament where i got a return on both
also my NAP for the tournament is 40/1
AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS
to win tournament
BURKINA FASO 20/1 e/w Bet365 Paddy Power
GABON 25/1 e/w Paddy Power Boylesports
My 40/1 tournament NAP
Top Goalscorer
JONATHAN PITROIPA 40/1 e/w NAP Bet365
Bet365 go 4 places at 1/4 odds, now that must be massive for a player who scored 5 goals in 6 qualifying games when his team scored a total 8 goals
he got player of the tournament in 2013 & scored 2 goals & i can see him atleast doubling that this time in what is an easy group for Burkina Faso & Gabon because i see EQUATORIAL GUINEA & CONGO as the tournaments weakest teams
IF PITROIPA STAYS FIT HE SHOULD BE IN TOP 4 AND WE SHOULD BE COLLECTING
John I’m on at 40/1 but not EW and he’s been cut to 20/1 now, also on 3/1 anytime tonight
Pitroipa now best odds 25/1 betvictor
only bet365 & betvictor pay out for top 4
Other bookies only top 3
Alves tonight will be their hardest group game so wouldnt be too upset if he didnt score as i would be hoping for 3 goals in his next two games
Alves even in this game i think 3/1 anytime is massive odds for a player of his class
Du reckon there will be alot of goals in the Africa cup? I’m hoping for btts
Burkina Faso bossing the early exchanges
I’ll shut up lol
Pitroipa looking dangerous and could’ve had a couple already and I’ve only been watching it 5 minutes, should defo get a run for our ££ :)
Alves he should have scored in first half
Could have had a hatrick so fingers crossed he can grab a few in this tournement he looks good . I have taken it when you mentioned it John. If btts goes evens in this game it has to have a chance
Btts 11/10 boylesports
Danny T i said before this game that i wouldnt be too upset if he didnt score tonight as i think he could get 3 against Guinea & Congo but after that first half i will be disapointed if he doesnt score tonight
How Burkina Faso didn’t score I will never know
ive had a £6 punt on cameroon at 9/1..they qualified well and were unbeaten and slaughtered ivory coast4-1 on the way..Too hard to pick thats why stakes are not Silly. Might have a single on Algeria tonight against south africa.
Not been impressed by Algeria so far. Need to step it up a notch if they plan to win this game