Ivory Coast v Togo betting tips and analysis

Ivory Coast are current favourites for overall tournament victory and they have some stars that should see them easily escape Group D. Didier Drogba may have the influence that Seydou Keita gave Mali in their victory over Niger; he is an experienced player in his twilight days playing in China. Drogba was a supreme player for Chelsea and he should link with ex-team-mate Salomon Kalou and be inspiring in this game. 

Yara Toure is perhaps the midfield stalwart that could most be associated with Ivory Coast’s nickname of the Elephants. He is a long way from retiring to the Chinese league or the riches of Major League Soccer – he will be sorely missed by Premier League Champions Manchester City for the next couple of weeks. He has been inspirational for his club and you can see him doing the same for his country. He gets a few goals but his presence is what wins matches instilling confidence throughout a team.

Ivory Coast are favourites in this tournament for a reason – they have the history and they have the talent. But this is tournament football and having been beaten in the final last year they have shown they are not Hannibal’s army and have weaknesses; they won’t be evident in this match. No injury worries means Togo should be worried…

Togo are not in contention for the tournament or this match according to the bookies but returning to play in this competition after the tragedies of 2010 will make them favourites in the hearts of many neutrals.

Whilst not boasting the talents of the opponents they do have a gifted played in Emmanuel Adebayor who has the experience to match any of the Elephants. He will be the inspiration for his team, if they indeed need any more than memories. With a manager named Didier Six the Hawks are already surreal enough and could provide an upset; but that will more likely come in later games.

Togo scraped through the first qualification match on away goals and it was Adebayor who clinched their appearance in this match with two goals ensuring they beat Gabon to contend the Cup. They do have some other names to watch out for though with Abdoul-Razak Boukari in the striking force. That won’t be enough to fly away with this one; perhaps the safest way of earning from Togo in this fixture is betting they have the first red card of the tournament!

The Elephants will get through this game with a solid performance; little bit nervy in the first half as the Hawks passion creates some swoops at goal. Too many nerves for a stampede, but enough talent for victory by at least two goals. Toure to be the star performer. Expect a sending off as passion will be high.

Betting Brian Says…

Purely because I support Chelsea this will be an Elephant march all the way to victory.

Mystic Mongrel Predicts a…

Both teams will score the same. I still need feeding Daddy!