Ivory Coast vs Nigeria Predictions: Tips and Best Bets Preview

We bring you our Ivory Coast vs Nigeria predictions, tips and best bets preview courtesy of Scott Thornton, as the hosts look to tighten their grip on Group A of the African Cup of Nations.

The hosts made a winning start by beating Guinea-Bissau 2-0, but this clash with Nigeria promises to be a tougher test. The Super Eagles are the underdogs and could only manage a point in their group opener.

Ivory Coast vs Nigeria Prediction and Tips Preview

1. Ivory Coast vs Nigeria Tip 1: Ivory Coast To Win
2. Ivory Coast vs Nigeria Tip 2: Both Teams To Score
3. Ivory Coast vs Nigeria Tip 3: Over 1.5 Goals In The First Half

In this article:

• Ivory Coast vs Nigeria Team News
• Ivory Coast vs Nigeria Stats Preview
• How to watch Ivory Coast vs Nigeria
• Safer Gambling

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Ivory Coast vs Nigeria Tip 1: Elephants on the Charge

African Cup of Nations, Thursday, January 18th, 17:00 (UK)

The first of our betting tips for Ivory Coast vs Nigeria is for the home side to come away with all three points. Both of these sides have lifted this trophy in the last 11 years, but Ivory Coast come into this clash in better form. Jean Louis-Gasset’s side made a winning start to alleviate the pressure and made it four wins in a row. Another win here could wrap up top spot in group A.

These sides haven’t gone toe-to-toe since 2015, but Ivory Coast emerged victorious on that occasion. The Elephants have a young side that lacks experience, but they are riding a wave of euphoria coming into this fixture. There is a belief among the supporters that the team can go all the way.

No side has won the AFCON on home soil in over 40 years, but the Ivory Coast have been exceptional in front of their own fans of late. They have suffered just one home defeat in their last 20 matches and have won 15 of those fixtures, so I’m happy to pick them here.

• Ivory Coast vs Nigeria Tip 1: Ivory Coast To Win (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 2.15
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

Ivory Coast vs Nigeria Tip 2: Nigeria Must Show Attacking Impetus

Ivory Coast have an exceptional scoring record on home turf. They score an average of 2.55 goals per game in front of their fanatic supporters, so I fancy them to find the net here. They have also conceded in three of their last five matches at home. Sierra Leone, Morocco and South Africa have all managed to score during that run. The clash with Nigeria is set to be another tough test.

Nigeria know the importance of this fixture, and qualification may not be in their hands if they succumb to defeat. Jose Peseiro’s team have shown a keen eye for goals of late. They have averaged two goals per game in their last 10 matches. They peppered the goal in their recent 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea. Victor Osimhen got the side’s only goal there, and the Napoli forward has the ability to cause problems for the host.

• Ivory Coast vs Nigeria Tip 2: Both Teams To Score (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 2.37
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

Ivory Coast vs Nigeria Tip 3: Frantic First Half on the Cards

We are also backing goals in our third Ivory Coast vs Nigeria bet. The second half of a match usually sees more goals than the first, and the bookmaker’s odds reflect that statistic. However, Nigeria’s recent matches have seen plenty of early goals, so I’m tipping that trend to continue here.

The Super Eagles’ 10 last competitive matches have seen an average of 1.8 first-half goals. This is slightly more than the average of 1.6 goals in the second halves of those games. Both of the goals scored in Nigeria’s draw with Equatorial Guinea occurred in the opening 45 minutes.

Ivory Coast have scored eight first-half goals across their last three home matches. This bet has won in two of those, so the Elephants are capable of reaching the required mark on their own. This game has the potential to be electric, so 4.00 for two first-half goals looks great value.

• Ivory Coast vs Nigeria Tip 3: Over 1.5 First Half Goals
• Best Odds: 4.00
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 4/10

Ivory Coast vs Nigeria Prediction odds via bet365 as at 11:45, January 15th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

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Ivory Coast vs Nigeria Team News Preview: Osimhen Carrying the Load

The big news for Ivory Coast is that Wilfried Zaha was left out of Gasset’s final squad for the tournament. The former Premier League winger has failed to make an impact at international level. Instead, the hosts rely on Jeremie Boga and Jonathan Bamba to make the difference in wide areas.

Nigeria have several key players out for this one. Their fans were looking forward to the prospect of Victor Boniface working in tandem with Osimhen in attack, but the Bayer Leverkusen forward is out. Wilfred Ndidi has also been unable to play, so the Super Eagles will be relying on Osimhen, Serie A’s top scorer last season, to come up with the goods.

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Ivory Coast vs Nigeria Stats Preview: Ivory Coast’s Home Masterclass

• Ivory Coast have suffered just one home defeat since the start of 2023. Over the course of those eight matches, they have averaged 2.75 goals per game.
• Nigeria won 2-1 the last time these sides locked horns in this competition back in 2013. The Super Eagles went on to win the competition.
• Peseiro’s side have kept just two clean sheets in their last 10 matches and have conceded an average of two goals per game.

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How To Watch

• Ivory Coast vs Nigeria, African Cup of Nations
• Date and Time: Thursday, January 18th, 17:00 (UK)
• How to Watch or Stream on TV (UK): Sky Sports Football

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SAFER GAMBLING

At bettingexpert, we always take a safe approach to gambling. We’ll never bet more than we can afford or chase losses. For more advice, head to our Safer Gambling hub.