The most prestigious soccer competition in Africa is reaching the latter stages, as just eight teams remain in the hugely competitive tournament. The reigning champions, Algeria, have already been knocked out of the tournament, which means the competition is a wide-open affair coming into the final seven days of action. But, which teams could make it through to the semi-finals?
Gambia vs Cameroon Odds & Pick
| Gambia | +700 |
| Draw | +280 |
| Cameroon | -200 |
Host nation Cameroon are still going along nicely in the Africa Cup of Nations this winter. They had high hopes on their shoulders at the start of the competition, and they are performing to reach those standards expected to this point. They sailed through the group stages of the competition, winning twice and drawing once. However, they needed a huge slice of luck in the last round, as they came up against a Comoros side that were forced to play an outfielder in goal. Eventually, the hosts edged through with a 2-1 win.
Gambia could be dangerous opponents for Cameroon this weekend in the quarterfinals, as they also won two of the three games that they played in the group stages. Their only dropped points came in a 1-1 draw against Mali. There is fight within this side, as they edged to a 1-0 win against Guinea in the last round. However, their story could come to an end at the hands of the hosts this weekend.
Pick: Gambia
Burkina Faso vs Tunisia Odds & Pick
| Burkina Faso | +240 |
| Draw | +180 |
| Tunisia | +140 |
This looks set to be a very close match up in the quarterfinals. Tunisia edged through Group F by the skins of their teeth, as they finished third behind Gambia and Mali. However, they reached the next round courtesy of being one of the best-placed teams in that position. They put in their best performance of the competition in the previous round, as they beat the hotly-fancied Nigeria 1-0.
Burkina Faso finished Group A in second place, behind host nation Cameroon. They won once in the group stages, with that victory coming against Cape Verde. They showed character to come through the previous round, as they were denied the win in regulation time after a last minute equaliser. However, they eventually won the following shootout. This could be yet another long match, and we could see Burkina Faso progressing on penalties after a draw in regular time.
Pick: Draw
Egypt vs Morocco Odds & Pick
| Egypt | +240 |
| Draw | +170 |
| Morocco | +150 |
Egypt are expected to go close in the Africa Cup of Nations this winter, and have progressed nicely through the competition to this point. Despite being beaten on matchday one of Group D by Nigeria, they recovered to win their final two games to clinch second. It was a nervy affair once again in the round of 16, as they needed a shootout to see off the Ivory Coast, with Mohamed Salah scoring the winning spot-kick.
Morocco are the favourites for victory in this fixture, as they are unbeaten in the competition so far. They cruised through as group winners in Group C, winning two of the three games that they played. They came from behind in the round of 16 to see off Malawi, with Youssef En-Nesyri and Achraf Hakimi scoring the goals. However, Salah could be the difference maker in this match.
Pick: Egypt
Senegal vs Equatorial Guinea Odds & Pick
| Senegal | -200 |
| Draw | +250 |
| Equatorial Guinea | +800 |
Equatorial Guinea has been one of the stories of the AFCON to this point. They were responsible for knocking out the defending champions in Group E, as they sealed top spot with two wins from the three games that they played. Their dream run continued in the round of 16 with a penalty shootout success against Mali.
However, Senegal look like the most likely winners in the competition this year. They finished top of the competitive Group B, winning once and drawing twice. Their talisman Sadio Mane was the difference in the previous round, as he scored the opener against Cape Verde. It should be another win for Senegal to book their spot in the semi-finals this weekend.
Pick: Senegal
-
Tags:
