Ivory Coast will look to seal second spot in Group E as they take on debutants Curacao at Philadelphia Stadium on Thursday night.
The Ivory Coast made a winning start in Group E, as Manchester United’s Amad Diallo scored in the 90th minute to secure a 1-0 victory over Ecuador.
It looked as if Emerse Fae’s side were going to make it two wins from two, as ex-Milan midfielder Franck Kessie gave them the lead after 30 minutes against Germany.
However, the Elephants were undone by a Deniz Undav double – the second of which coming deep into stoppage time – ending their hopes of topping Group E.
The West African nation knows that if they avoid defeat, they will secure second spot, but they come up against a Curacao side that needs to win if they are to reach the knockout stages.
Curacao got a real dose of reality in their World Cup debut, as they were thrashed 7-1 by Germany.
However, Dick Advocaat’s men recovered from that heavy defeat by claiming a historic goalless draw against Ecuador, thanks to an inspired performance by goalkeeper Eloy Room.
How the bookies view it: Ivory Coast clear favourites
Ivory Coast are clear favourites to bounce back from their late defeat against Germany last time out, with bet365 pricing them at just 1/7 to claim all three points.
Curacao are massive 18/1 underdogs to get the win they require, whilst the draw is also unfancied at 7/1.
Head to head: First-ever meeting
Unsurprisingly, Thursday’s clash in Pennsylvania will be the first-ever meeting between these two nations.
Players to watch: Diallo to deliver again
Amad Diallo was the hero for Ivory Coast on MD1, as his late strike earned the Elephants a 1-0 victory over Ecuador.
The Manchester United attacker also scored in a recent friendly success against France, as well as three goals at the recent Africa Cup of Nations, and is an appealing 1/1 at bet365 to get on the scoresheet again.
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Predicted line-ups:
Dick Advocaat will hope to have striker Jurgen Locadia available after he went off injured in the draw with Ecuador.
Ivory Coast are expected to be without right back Wilfred Singo after he went off injured against Germany last time out.
Curacao: Room, Brenet, Gaari, Obispo, Floranus, Fonville, L Bacuna, Comenencia, J Bacuna, Chong, Locadia
Ivory Coast: Fofana, Doue, Kossounou, Agbadou, Konan, Sangare, Kessie, Oulai, Amad, Diomande, Bonny
Anything else catch the eye?
Curacao did magnificently to record their first-ever point at the World Cup finals against Ecuador last time out, but I don’t envisage a repeat here.
The South Americans find goals hard to come by, and they were guilty of missing chance after chance, but I don’t see Ivory Coast having the same issues given the attacking talent in their ranks.
Dick Advocaat’s visitors shipped seven in their opener against Germany – and whilst I don’t see a repeat of that here – I do expect the Elephants to Score Over 2.5 Goals, which pays 4/5 at bet365.
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