INTERNATIONAL BETTING PICK - IVORY COAST V TOGO

International

2013-01-22 - Ivory Coast vs Togo

A Sports Betting Pick by Addicted

IVORY COAST v TOGO
Football : Africa : ACN
Tuesday, 22nd January 2013 - Kickoff 3:00pm GMT

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BETTING PREVIEW

Group C ended with two 1-1 draws, with both Nigeria and Zambia taking and then losing leads. Hopefully we get a few results today in Group D. The first game of the day sees the Ivory Coast take on Togo.

The Ivory Coast will be looking to exorcise the demons from last years tournament, where they lost out in heartbreaking fashion on penalties. This is a side filled with talent, with most players plying their trade in the English and French top flight - Toure brothers, Tiote, Traore, Gervinho and of course, Drogba.

This year, the Ivory Coast are considered favourites to lift the trophy, as they are not just the highest ranked African nation, but ranked 14th in FIFA's list, putting them above France and Brazil!

Togo aren't quite as start studded, with Adebayor being their big star player. He is Togo's all time leading goalscorer with 26 goals, and will be playing this game. Even so, they have failed to shine offensively in recent games, which has me thinking Ivory Coast have a solid chance at a win to nil.

Togo registered just 1-0 wins over Morocco and Oman in recent friendlies, with their last match before the tournament seeing them lose 3-1 to NIger.

In contrast, the Ivory Coast have been an offensive juggernaut, putting 11 goals past their last 3 opponents! They beat Senegal 4-2, Austria 3-0 and then put a 4-2 beating on Egypt just a week ago. Gervinho has 3 goals in those games and Drogba 2, and both will play the role of menace to a Togo defence that could well get shredded if they go behind early and then try to chase it.

The two countries have met before in the Cup of Nations, playing out a 0-0 draw back in 2010. There is a gulf in talent now, and it should tell. I make the Ivory Coast very strong favourites to start this tournament off with a win.

THE BETTING VERDICT

We were unlucky yesterday with Nigeria taking the lead but blowing it, but to be fair they did play most of the game with just 10 men.

The Ivory Coast will not make any mistakes after losing on pens last year. This will be a ruthless display and I fully expect them to score in both halves and walk it.

The Pick :