Ivory Coast’s winning run faces a Gambia test in Bakau

Group C’s three-point gap

Ivory Coast arrive on a three-match winning run in Africa Cup of Nations qualification, while Gambia have won twice and lost once in the competition. With three matches played, Ivory Coast lead Group C on nine points, three ahead of second-placed Gambia on six. A home win would bring the teams level on points; another Ivory Coast victory would extend their advantage.

Ivory Coast’s defence against Gambia’s scoring

In their three matches in this competition, Ivory Coast have scored six goals and conceded one, keeping two clean sheets. Gambia have scored seven and conceded five across the same number of qualifying games, but their home sample is just one match: a win, with two goals scored and one conceded.

That contrast gives Ivory Coast’s defensive record the edge, though Gambia have shown they can score in this competition. A pattern to watch is whether the hosts can find a way through a defence that has conceded only once in three matches.

A recent meeting to build on

Ivory Coast beat Gambia 2-1 in their most recent meeting, in this competition on 12 November. They have won all three of the sides’ last meetings across the competitions listed, while Gambia have won none.

Our prediction

Ivory Coast’s winning run and their record of conceding only once in three qualifying matches make them the more convincing side on the available evidence. Gambia’s home win in their only home match in this competition offers a counterpoint, so a draw remains plausible as Ivory Coast seek to protect their group lead.