Ivory Coast meet Angola in Malabo in their final match of AFCON Group B on Monday. It's game where a draw would suit both sides but slight preference is for the tournament favourites to edge it.

Having won both of their opening games, Ivory Coast are already assured of a place in the quarter finals but they need to avoid defeat here to make sure they finish top of the group. Angola are almost there, they could still qualify if they lose this game and Sudan fail to beat Burkina Faso. A point will ensure Angola finish runners up and they would even overhaul Ivory Coast for top spot if they pull off a surprise win. The group winners will face the runners up in Group A which winds up on Sunday and the runners up here will meet the Group A winners. Whoever tops this group will stay in Malabo for the quarter finals and that is the venue where both Ivory Coast and Angola have played their earlier group matches, the group runners up will move to Bata.

Ivory Coast have yet to concede in this tournament. The performances in wins over Sudan (1-0) and Burkina Faso (2-0) didn't set the world alight but they ensured a quarter final place with the minimum of fuss. At the time of writing, news of the extent of the injury picked up by Salomon Kalou who opened the scoring against Burkina Faso is the only potential red flag from their campaign so far. With one eye on the HT/FT betting markets, the pattern in both their earlier wins was for The Elephants to take a first half lead.

Angola started with a 2-1 win over Burkina Faso, a game where all the goals came in the second half. They were favourites to follow up against Sudan but were twice pegged back and had to settle for a 2-2 draw. Manucho was on target twice against Sudan and he also scored in the opening game to lay an early claim in the tournament top goal scorer race. As you can see the pattern has been for over 2.5 goals and both teams to score although I would imagine they won't be too adventurous in their approach here.

The teams haven't met since a friendly international staged late in 2007 and Angola were 2-1 winners.

The Betting, Match Result

Ivory Coast 8/13 Sportingbet

Draw 5/2 BetXchange, World Sports Betting, Sportsbet

Angola 11/2 BetXchange, World Sports Betting, Sportsbet

Selected Others

HT/FT IC/IC 15/10 BetXchange, Sportsbet

HT/FT Draw/IC 7/2 Ladbrokes

HT/FT Draw/Draw 5/1 Sportsbet

Double Chance Draw/Angola 13/10 Sportsbet

Correct Score Ivory Coast win 1-0 5/1 Ladbrokes

Correct score Ivory Coast win 2-0 11/2 Sportingbet

Note, odds are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change. Not all bookmakers had priced up at the time of writing and many more markets are available. Watch out for the option to bet “in play” where available

Analysis

Manucho aside I'm not to convinced that Angola carry a major goal threat, he looks a real opportunist and will need watching carefully. Should Ivory Coast succeed in that department I would see them snatching this and the incentive for the group winner to remain in Malabo for the quarters is another factor towards a positive outcome. This is not a game that makes to much appeal but a stab at 1-0 to the Ivorians in the correct score market is my call.

Bet: Correct Score Ivory Coast win 1-0 5/1 Ladbrokes

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