The feast of international football continues on Wednesday with 14 ties from the African Cup of Nations qualifying process. Mark O’Haire (@MarkOHaire) searches the card for the best bets…
Algeria v Malawi | 20.30
Algeria proved one of my most profitable teams to follow during the World Cup, most notably rewarding me at 5/1 to qualify from their group. Head coach Vahid Halilhodzic left his post after the tournament but talented French boss Christian Gourcuff has taken on the mantle and the Desert Foxes remain a nation to follow.
Paddy Power are offering the hosts at even-money to win with a -1 handicap – that means Algeria must win by two goals to ensure a winning selection and I see no reason why Gourcuff’s men can’t get the job done.
The Desert Foxes know a victory would ensure their place in the 2015 finals and they’ve shown exactly why they are Africa’s top-ranked side by winning all three of their Group B games, two of which came away.
It’s the reverse of Saturday’s pool fixture and in Blantyre, Algeria’s slick passing had Malawi chasing shadows at times. It’s hard to think they will not repeat or better the 2-0 victory they achieved then, when back on home soil, especially when you consider five of Malawai’s last seven defeats have come by at least a two-goal margin.
Ivory Coast v DR Congo | 18.00
Ivory Coast should seal a spot in the finals this evening when they welcome DR Congo to Abidjan. The Elephants were 2-1 winners at the weekend in Kinshasa despite Swansea star Wilfried Bony failing to convert a penalty.
Boasting a home record of just one defeat in 51 qualifiers, the hosts look nailed on 3/10 shots with Coral but its the 2/1 from William Hill on Both Teams To Score that caught my eye.
All three of Ivory Coast’s qualifiers have seen both sides net and incredibly 17 of their last 18 outings would have also seen this bet win. So at 2/1 it’s worth chancing in tonight’s showdown from the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny.
TOPICS International Football TipsBest Bets
Algeria v Malawi – Algeria -1 handicap (1/1 Paddy Power)
Ivory Coast v DR Congo – Both Teams To Score (2/1 William Hill)
