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The Africa Cup of Nations kicks off this weekend with hosts Cameroon getting Group A off to a start when they entertain Burkina Faso. Later in the evening, Ethiopia take on Cape Verde.
TV: All AFCON matches live on Sky Sports
With the two favourites for Group A facing off in the first match whoever can take the three points in the second could cause a few problems should the opener end in a stalemate. Let’s get into the stats and form then and see if we can dig up some value in the markets.
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* A double on these two bets pays at approximately 9/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
4pm: Cameroon vs Burkina Faso
Cameroon are odds-on favourites to win the opening game of the tournament and really, very little argument can be made against them taking all three points here. Yes, there could be some opening-day nerves present but the same goes for the away side and with most of the home crowd being local they’re going to have an 11th man cheering them on.
Form-wise, Cameroon have been in good shape of late, losing just one of their last nine games in all competitions and are unbeaten over their last 10 games on home soil. On the goal front they’ve scored 10 and conceded just three in the last five home and away. They’ve bagged six and conceded one in their past three as hosts, winning them all.
Burkina Faso are ranked in the Top 12 African sides according to FIFA and have only lost one of their last 10 – the highlight being two draws with one of the tournament favourites Algeria. Over their last five matches they’ve scored a pretty healthy eight goals, and over their last five away games have won three and drawn two, scoring 11.
With both teams in good goal-scoring form we have to look at Both Teams to Score and while it’s available for very decent odds at the time of writing the fact is that Cameroon have had the superior form of late and with the home crowd behind them we have to go with Indomitable Lions to take the three points. Cameroon to Win and BTTS is the best bet here.
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7pm: Ethiopia vs Cape Verde
Ethiopia come into their opening match with just one win over their last five, drawing two and losing two. The good news though is they’ve scored in all but one of those games and BTTS has landed in four with Over 2.5 goals in two.
Cape Verde are in better form, winning three of their last five, drawing one and losing one. Four of their last five games have also seen BTTS landing with Overs landing in three. With both teams scoring and conceding plenty of late the best option here is going with both teams getting on the scoresheet.
Africa Cup of Nations betting tips
4pm: Cameroon vs Burkina Faso – Cameroon to Win and Both Teams to Score
7pm: Ethiopia vs Cape Verde – Both Teams to Score
* A double on these two bets pays at approximately 9/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
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