African hopefuls Ivory Coast are in Fifa World Cup Round of 32 action in Dallas on Tuesday when they come up against Earling Haaland and Norway.
Ivory Coast:
Ivory Coast came through Group D as runner up to Germany on goal difference with both sides finishing with 6 points. Ecuador with 4 points were third and also go through whilst Curacao were bottom of the quartet with 1 point.
In their final group match Ivory Coast beat Curacao 2-0 in Philadelphia to secure their first ever place in the World Cup Finals knockout rounds. Nicolas Pepe scored both goals, one in each half.
Despite taking the lead on the half hour mark through skipper Franck Kessie Ivory Coast’s second group match against Germany in Toronto ended in a 2-1 defeat. They held the lead until the 68th minute and Germany eventually found the winner in injury time.
Ivory Coast came out on top against Ecuador in their first action of the tournament in Philadelphia by a 1-0 scoreline with the only goal of the game coming from Amad Diallo on 90 minutes.
Norway:
Norway came through arguably the strongest of the groups as runners up to France. The French finished with the maximum 9 points whilst Norway had 6, Senegal were third with 3 and also go through whilst Iraq failed to earn a point and were eliminated.
Norway’s team selection for their final group match against France in Boston took many people by surprise. Both sides were already through to the Ro32 but to spot was still up for grabs. Norway made 10 changes including leaving Haaland on the bench and France, who were pretty much full strength, ran out 4-1 winners. France led 3-1 by half time with Thelo Aasgaard scoring Norway’s goal and Jorgen Strand Larsen missed a second half penalty.
Norway made it 2 wins from 2 when they edged out Senegal 3-2 in New Jersey. Marcus Pederson opened the scoring late in the first half and Haaland made it 2-0 not long after the restart. Senegal pulled a goal back but Haaland was on target again to make it 3-1 just before the hour mark before. Senegal reduced the arrears again.
Erling Haaland scored twice in a 4-1 win over Iraq in Boston in their opening game. Haaland’s goals came in the first half either side of an Iraq equalizer, Leo Ostigard made it 3-1 on 76 minutes and an Iraq own goal at the death rounded off the scoring
The Betting (Regulation time unless stated otherwise)
Ivory Coast are priced at around 5/2 to win the game with the draw available at 5/2 and Norway can be backed at around 21/20.
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 9/10 and its 7/10 for both teams to score
Haaland to score the first goal is 23/10 and for the same player to score anytime (90 mins) the price is 15/20
The Verdict:
The wisdom of the decision to make sweeping changes for the game against France will be tested here and Norway are taking on a dangerous Ivory Coast side. In the group stage both teams to score and over 25 total goals was the way to go in Norway’s matches and although we are playing knockout football now I will go with that sequence to be extended here.
Bets: Both teams to score and over 2.5 total goals? Yes at 12/10 with Sportingbet
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Note, odds are subject to change