Prediction: Nigeria vs Guinea

Prediction: Nigeria win

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: bet365

The Africa Cup of Nations is well underway, and we’ve already seen a series of entertaining clashes between some of the continent’s biggest and best national teams. In addition to that we’ve also been treated to a few surprise packages that weren’t really expected to do much in this year’s tournament, but even with all of that, we still want more. There’s a lot of potential in this tournament, and given how early it still is, we truly do believe that the best is yet to come.

Nigeria

Nigeria may not have quite been able to live up to the hype that their magnificent kit created during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, but they were still unlucky to not progress further than they did. As a national team they’ve been incredibly hot and cold over the course of the last decade or so, fluctuating between being one of Africa’s finest sides to being one of their biggest disappointments. Now, as they continue to find themselves in that middle bracket, they’ll be attempting to prove the continent wrong once again.

Team News

Musa has been tipped to start this game after being left out in the opener, with Alex Iwobi being expected to keep his place despite recent criticism. Above all others, Onuachu is the man who could be dropped in favour of Musa.

Guinea

Guinea, who will be hosting the AFCON in a few years time, have been popping up on the radar of fans in the last few years. Their ‘glory days’ so to speak came away back in the 70s, when they had their best ever showing on Africa’s biggest stage – but now, things are a little bit different. They’ve got a few players within their ranks that are more than capable of upsetting the status quo, which is the kind of thing that a tournament of this nature was made for.

Team News

Guinea are set to take a risk on Keita’s fitness, as their star man attempts to guide them through what should be a tricky game. Yattara is also being tipped to feature in place of Kaba.

Factors to Consider

• The overall head to head standings between these two nations is tied at 5-5, with seven draws.
• Nigeria won their first game of the tournament 1-0 against Burundi.
• Guinea drew their first game of the tournament 2-2 against Madagascar.
• Nigeria are three-time Africa Cup of Nations champions.
• Guinea finished second in the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations.

Conclusion

Guinea have a few key players that could really make a difference in this game, but we just can’t picture them overcoming the Nigerians. They’re just too powerful throughout the core of the pitch when you compare the two sides, and there’s no way of getting around that. It should be a pretty entertaining game and we’re expecting to see a few goals, but even with that being the case, there are levels at the top of international football – and Guinea just aren’t quite there yet.

Prediction: Nigeria win

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: bet365