Senegal vs Ivory Coast Prediction: Reigning champs to deliver fatal blow to hosts

The pick of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 ties takes place in Yamoussoukro on Monday night (KO, 20:00), as reigning champions Senegal face off against hosts Ivory Coast at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium.

The Elephants can consider themselves fortunate to even still be in the competition after a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Equatorial Guinea left them third in Group A on just three points.

Jean-Louis Gasset was sacked as head coach before they were confirmed as one of the four best third-place finishers, with a 'loan' move for former coach Herve Renard subsequently rejected by the French Football Federation.

Ivory Coast's chances of getting back on track and going the distance in the competition haven't been helped by being drawn against Senegal, who have a 100% record so far.

Team News

Eight Senegal players - Edouard Mendy, Krepin Diatta, Kalilou Koulibaly, Ismail Jakobs, Pape Gueye, Sadio Mane, Ismaila Sarr and Habib Diallo - started all three group games, and should earn their fourth consecutive starts on Monday.

They are likely to be joined by defender Abdou Diallo, who was suspended for their last game, as well as midfielders Lamine Camara - who scored twice against Gambia - and Pape Matar Sarr.

Nottingham Forest's Moussa Niakhate was taken off injured in their opener and hasn't been seen since.

Ivory Coast's XI is much less certain, owing to their awful start and change of manager.

Simon Adingra played his first minutes of the tournament against Equatorial Guinea and is edging towards a first start on Monday, but Sebastien Haller is yet to make a matchday squad and looks unlikely to feature again.

Match Odds

Senegal are 5/4 favourites to win on Monday as they look to defend their crown, while a victory for the hosts inside 90 minutes is 11/5. The draw, which would send the contest into extra-time, is 15/8.

Both teams to score is EVS and over 2.5 goals is available at 6/4.

Senegal to win to nil @ 12/5

It's been a strong start to the tournament for the defending champions, who scored eight and only conceded once - late on against Cameroon - en route to collecting nine points from Group C.

Alongside Morocco, the Lions of Teranga look like the team to beat.

The same can't be said of Ivory Coast, who lost to Nigeria before completely capitulating against Equatorial Guinea. They failed to score in either of those games, with the absence of Haller - a focal point in attack - hitting them hard.

Without a recognised figure in the dugout, it could be more of the same from the Elephants on Monday, as they struggle to lay a glove on their opponents.

Highest scoring half - second half @ 23/20

As the underdogs, and after such a heavy defeat last time out, Ivory Coast are likely to stay compact for as long as possible and hit Senegal on the counter attack.

The Lions of Teranga can afford to be patient, safe in the knowledge that they can step things up a gear whenever required.

The second half has been the highest scoring half in all three of Senegal's games so far, while that has been the case in two of Ivory Coast's.

Check out the rest of our AFCON Betting Tips here.