Prediction: Egypt vs Congo

Verdict: Egypt win and under 3.5 goals

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Bet365

Looking to extend their winning start to life in Group A, Mohamed Salah’s Egypt will host Congo in Cairo on Wednesday night.

Egypt

Starting with the hosts, while they might not have been at their best in their Group A opener last week, Egypt will be glad to be getting their African Cup of Nations campaign off to a winning start. Picking up a 1-0 win over Zimbabwe last time out, the Pharaohs find their confidence at a high. Looking to go one step further than their Silver medal finish out in Gabon two years ago, Javier Aguirre’s side find themselves enjoying a three-match winning run across all competitions and fans around Cairo will be looking for attacking superstar Mohamed Salah to carry on yet another stellar campaign. Helping Liverpool lift the Champions League earlier in the month, the former Roma man bagged 22 Premier League goals and once again reclaimed his Golden Boot. Now winning seven of their last nine matchups and tasting defeat just once over the past 12 months, Wednesday’s hosts have famously begun to shine on home soil. Including their victory over Zimbabwe, Egypt have won their last six consecutive matches in front of their own supporters.

Team News

Wigan’s Sam Morsy missed out of this squad. However, Mohamed El Neny is one of four English-based players in the squad along with Mo Salah.

Congo

As for the visitors, once again putting in another lackluster display in their 2-0 defeat at home to Uganda in their Group A opener last week, it is no surprise that the Leopards are an overwhelming favorite to finish at the foot of the table. Having to make a public apology to their fans after their woeful display last time out, many are now questioning Florent Ibengé role as Head Coach. On the verge of suffering an early exit from this year’s AFCON unless they can pull off a famous victory over the 2017 runners-ups, Congo find themselves in the midst of a real struggle. Aside from a close-fought 1-0 win over Liberia back in March, Wednesday’s visitors have failed to win any of their other nine matches across all competitions, a run that stems back to November 2017. With captain Youssouf Mulumbu describing last weeks defeat as humiliating, Congo also hold a very worrying record against their hosts in midweek. Ibengé’s men have never picked up a victory over Egypt in each of the previous six meetings between the two nations.

Team News

Britt Assombalonga started on the bench in their opener, but he could make a start here.

Key Factors to Consider

• Egypt have won their last six matches in Cairo, scoring 18 goals.
• Mohamed Salah bagged 22 Premier League goals this season.
• Congo have now won just one of their last 10 matches, a run that stems back to November 2017.
• Egypt are unbeaten in each of their six previous matches against Congo.
• Congo have not recorded an away victory in their last seven attempts.

Conclusion

On paper, Egypt should see this as a golden opportunity to move one step close to securing a spot in the knockout stage. Given Congo’s morale and form being the lowest it has been in recent memory, we’re backing the Pharaohs to come away with the victory in midweek.

Verdict: Egypt win and under 3.5 goals

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Bet365