Ivory Coast are set to maintain their winning start to Africa Cup of Nations when they face Sierra Leone in their second Group E fixture on Sunday. The Ivorians will be keen to build on that victory and should have too much for Sierra Leone.
Ivory Coast were victorious in their opening Group E fixture at the AFCON with 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea. They had more of the possession and chances but in the end Max Gradel's second half effort proved to be the difference.
Patrice Beaumelle’s men will expect to reach the latter stages of the competition and will be pleased to have made a winning start. A win on Sunday is likely to secure a place in the round of 16 and with reigning champions Algeria failing to win in their opening fixture, the Ivorians appear on course to finish as group winners.
The win against Sierra Leone is an extension of Ivory Coast’s recent good form as they have won five of their last six matches across all competitions. They have also maintained their discipline at the back with five clean sheets in their last eight matches.
Sierra Leone are coming off a 0-0 draw with Algeria in their opening fixture at the AFCON. They set out to be solid at the back and frustrate the reigning champions but rode their luck a few times with goalkeeper Mohamed Kamara making a string of crucial saves.
Manager John Keister will be pleased to have earned a point against Algeria and will look to take confidence from their performance. However, that result also means Sierra Leone are now winless in their last three matches across all competitions.
The lack of goals is also likely to be worrying for the manager as Sierra Leone have found the net just once in their last six matches stretching back to before the AFCON.
How the bookies view it
The bookies have Ivory Coast as overwhelming favourites at 3/10 with Vbet. A victory for Sierra Leone is priced at 11/1 by betway while a draw is set at odds of 7/2 with Paddy Power.
Head to head
Ivory Coast have never lost to Sierra Leone with two wins and as many draws from four previous matches. The last meeting between both teams was a 1-1 draw in an AFCON qualifying fixture in 2016.
Players to watch
Max Gradel got the goal in the opening fixture but Ivory Coast have multiple attacking threats in their squad. The likes of Sebastian Haller, Wilfried Zaha and Maxwell Cornet could be worth keeping and eye on and can ensure the Ivorians find the net on Sunday at 2/13 with Vbet.
Ivory Coast have also maintained their discipline at the other end of the pitch with five clean sheets in their last eight matches. Eric Bailly and Simon Deli should continue in central defence and can lead the team to another clean sheet at 4/11 with Paddy Power.
Anything else catch the eye?
Ivory Coast are expected to claim a comfortable victory on Sunday and could be backed in the -1 handicap market at 11/10 with betway. The Ivorians could also be tipped to win by two or more goals at 29/20 with Vbet.
This African Nations Cup match between Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone will be played on Jan 16, 2022 and kick off at 16:00. Check below for our tipsters best Ivory Coast vs Sierra Leone prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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