Ivory Coast vs Mali
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Today’s featured game is the friendly game in France between Ivory Coast and Mali. Both nations have strong links with France as it is so I expect a strong level of support for both sides, especially with a lot of players in both squads for this game having plied their trade in France for at least a short space of time.
As you can no doubt see below, both sides have named strong squads for this game so it should be taken seriously. However, in terms of the average African sides, you cannot find a better African footballing side than Ivory Coast. In that, I am excluding the North African sides like Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia etc. because they play a different brand of football – much more European-influenced. Ivory Coast play proper African football – fast, strong, attacking, and overall, determined. Ivory Coast possess a wealth of attacking talent in Drogba, Romaric, Gervinho, and even bambi-esque Kalou, not to mention emerging talents Ya, Doumbia, and Wilfried, all of which are expected to be around for years to come. Ivory Coast have great strength in their team with the Toure brothers, Fae, and Zokora being some of the more steely players on the continent and although Ivory Coast’s weakness tends to be their defence and/or goalkeeper, they’re still strong enough to keep the ball and score more goals than their opponents today, in my view.
Mali are a side that really shouldn’t be written off, however. The retirement of star striker Fredi Kanoute raised question marks over Mali’s future but in all honesty, Mali already have good strikers so I think they’ll cope. What they’ll miss with Kanoute’s absence is experienced and that poacher instinct. I rate the likes of Maiga, for instance, but he’s not a naturally gifted finisher, unlike Kanoute, and it’s in games like this where it should count. It’s fascinating to see that Levski Sofia star striker Dembele has switched allegiance from France to Mali and could debutise here. It wouldn’t surprise me either – he’s had a terrific season and he’s been one of the best target men in Eastern Europe, attracting interest from all over the remainder of Europe, so it’ll be interesting to see how (not “if” – Mali need to cap him here!) Mali utilise him here, especially in his homeland of France. Mali’s strength has long been their strength in midfield, however, and the duo of Diarra and Sissoko are classic examples of that. Mali are a battling side that are very hard to break down, generally speaking, but for me, they don’t score enough goals. They’re good enough to poach a goal or two against the lesser sides in African football but they’re playing arguably the best African side that there’s been for some years, in my view – I think that they’re really going to struggle today.
Approach this one with caution because it is a friendly, after all. However, Ivory Coast should prove to be too strong for Mali today although I cannot deny that I’m curious to see how Mali use Dembele and what affect he has on the team. Either way, backing Ivory Coast to win this game at 5/6 holds value in my eyes, even at a neutral venue – they’re simply a better side with more depth.
Squads:
Ivory Coast – Barry, Gnanhouan, Kolo Toure, Tiene, Eboue, Demel, Bamba, Gohouri, Angoua, Yaya Toure, Zokora, Boka, Fae, Romaric, Tiote, Ya, Coulibaly, Kalou, Drogba, Gervinho, Doumbia, Wilfried.
Mali – Sidibe, Diakite, Oumar Sissoko, Berthe, Tamboura, Diamoutene, Soumare, Maiga, Sow, Diarra, Keita, Abdou Traore, Bakaye Traore, Mahamane El Hadji Traore, Mohamed Sissoko, Fane, N’Diaye, Diallo, Bagayoko, Maiga, Yatabare, Dembele.
Verdict: Ivory Coast to win at 5/6.
Tuesday’s Picks
My tips:
Nothing else interests me today, sorry guys! Check below for my thoughts on today’s games!
International Friendlies:
Ivory Coast vs Mali (7) over 2.5 goals (played in France)
Mozambique vs Botswana (5) 0-1, draw no bet
Ghana vs Togo (6) 2-1 (played in Belgium)
Cyprus vs Sweden (6) 0-0
Republic of Ireland vs Wales (6) 2-1
Romania vs Ukraine (6) 1-1 (played in Cyprus)
Peru vs Panama (7) under 2.5 goals
Australian A-League:
North Queensland Fury vs Brisbane Roar (6) 0-1, at least one red card in this game
English League One:
Rochdale vs Bristol Rovers (4)
Leyton Orient vs Swindon Town (6)
English League Two:
Gillingham vs Rotherham United (5) both sides to score
Bury vs Stevenage (7)
Hereford United vs Macclesfield Town (5)
Morecambe vs Aldershot Town (6)
Lincoln City vs Shrewsbury Town (5)
Welsh Premier League:
Neath Athletic vs Port Talbot Town (7) 2-1
The New Saints vs Llanelli (7) 2-0
Enjoy your free betting tips!