A place in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations will be on the line when Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso lock horns at the Stade de Marrakech on Tuesday. This will be the first competitive meeting between the two sides since January 2012, when the Elephants secured a 2-0 victory in the AFCON group stages.
FootballWhispers’ Ivory Coast vs Burkina Faso prediction takes a look at the chances of both sides getting the job done in Marrakech.
Contents
- 1 Ivory Coast vs Burkina Faso prediction: Ivory Coast to extend strong competitive streak
- 2 Most recent H2Hs: Ivory Coast leading the way
- 3 Ivory Coast preview: Full-strength squad expected after rotation against Gabon
- 4 Burkina Faso preview: Two major doubts for Traore’s men
- 5 Player to watch — Amad Diallo
Ivory Coast vs Burkina Faso prediction: Ivory Coast to extend strong competitive streak
Key stats
- Ivory Coast are unbeaten in their last seven AFCON matches, picking up six wins and one draw since a 4-0 defeat against Equatorial Guinea in January 2024.
- Burkina Faso are making a fourth AFCON round-of-16 appearance in the last five editions of the continental showpiece, with the exception coming in 2019, when they failed to qualify altogether.
- Ivory Coast are on a run of 10 straight competitive matches without defeat, picking up eight wins and two draws since losing 1-0 against Zambia in the AFCON qualifiers back in November 2024.
- Burkina Faso have lost just one of their last seven competitive games, while picking up five wins and one draw since the start of September.
Correct score prediction: Ivory Coast 2-1 Burkina Faso
Following their group-stage run, Burkina Faso have shown they have what it takes to compete against the top nations, but they have their work cut out against a stacked Ivory Coast side who are keen on defending their crown. While we expect Burkina Faso to put up a fight, we predict the Elephants will show their class here and come away with the desired result.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Bookmakers have Ivory Coast as clear favourite
- HOME: 3/4 (1.75) – 57.1%
- DRAW: 9/4 (3.25) – 30.8%
- AWAY: 16/5 (4.20) – 23.8%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Having edged out Nigeria to clinch a third AFCON crown in 2023, it has been a solid title defence for Ivory Coast, who finished the group stages unbeaten to clinch top spot in Group F.
A 1-0 opening-day victory over Mozambique on Christmas Eve was followed by a 1-1 draw against a star-studded Cameroon side on December 28, three days before Emerse Fae’s men fought back from two goals down to snatch a dramatic 3-2 victory over Gabon in the group finale.
Following their group-stage run, Ivory Coast are now unbeaten in 10 consecutive competitive matches (8W 2D), a run which saw them secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and clinch top spot in Group F of the qualifiers with 26 points from 20 games.
The Elephants are eyeing a ninth AFCON quarter-final appearance since 2006, and the bookmakers are backing them to come out on top on Tuesday, currently priced at 3/4.
This indicates a 57.1% win probability, in contrast to Burkina Faso’s 23.8%, while there is a 30.8% likelihood of the game ending all square at the Stade de Marrakech.
Burkina Faso turned in a dominant team display in their winner-takes-all group finale against Sudan on New Year’s Eve as they secured a 2-0 victory when the two nations squared off at the Stade Mohammed V to clinch second spot in Group E.
With both sides level on three points heading into the game, Lassina Traore and Arsene Kouassi netted in either half to fire Burkina Faso to a much-needed victory and keep their quest for a first-ever AFCON triumph alive.
Brama Traore’s men had kicked off the continental tournament with a 2-1 victory over Equatorial Guinea on Christmas Eve, a result which saw them extend their winning streak to five games across all competitions, four days before crashing back to earth in a 1-0 loss against Algeria.
While we take a deeper look into both nations, you can take a peek at some of the best picks and predictions for the midweek fixtures by FootballWhispers in today’s free football betting tips.
Most recent H2Hs: Ivory Coast leading the way
Ivory Coast holds a clear upper hand in this fixture across the last 10 meetings between the two nations, claiming six victories, compared to Burkina Faso’s two wins.
However, it is worth noting that the two Burkina Faso victories have come in the most recent three meetings between the two nations, with a 2-0 friendly defeat in December 2024 sandwiched between the two wins.
African Nations C'ship Qualifying 28/12/24
Burkina Faso
Ivory Coast
African Nations C'ship Qualifying 22/12/24
Ivory Coast
Burkina Faso
International Match 19/11/22
Burkina Faso
Ivory Coast
International Match 05/06/21
Ivory Coast
Burkina Faso
Ivory Coast preview: Full-strength squad expected after rotation against Gabon
With their qualification to the knockout stages all but sealed, Fae rested several key players in the group finale against Gabon last time out, we expect the 41-year-old to recall his stars into the XI.
Caykur Rizespor man Yahia Fofana should start between the sticks on Tuesday, with Guela Doue, Odilon Kossounou, Evan Ndicka and Ghislain Konan forming the back four.
At the attacking end of the pitch, Amad Diallo, Yan Diomande and Evann Guessand should come into the fold, having sat out the tie against Gabon, while the experienced trio of Ibrahim Sangare, Seko Fofana and Franck Kessie should team up at the centre of the park.
Predicted lineup: Fofana (GK), Doue, Kossounou, Ndicka, Konan, Kessie, I. Sangare, Fofana, Diallo, Y. Diomande & Guessand
Last five games
- Gabon 2-3 Ivory Coast
- Ivory Coast 1-1 Cameroon
- Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique
- Oman 0-2 Ivory Coast
- Saudi Arabia 1-0 Ivory Coast
Burkina Faso preview: Two major doubts for Traore’s men
Herve Koffi was forced off at half time in the Group E finale against Sudan last time out and the Angers goalkeeper is a major doubt for Tuesday’s crunch tie.
Should he fail to shake off the injury, 22-year-old Kilian Nikiema should get the nod, while Dango Ouattara could come in for Cyriaque Irie, who was also subbed off through injury against Gabon.
Predicted lineup: Koffi (GK), Yago, Dayo, Tapsoba, Kouassi, Oueraogo, Sangare, Toure, B. Traore, Ouattara, Kabore
Last five games
- Sudan 0-2 Burkina Faso
- Algeria 1-0 Burkina Faso
- Burkina Faso 2-1 Equatorial Guinea
- Burkina Faso 3-0 Benin
- Burkina Faso 3-2 Niger
Player to watch — Amad Diallo
Amad has been on song for Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations so far and the Manchester United forward will be one to look out for at the Stade de Marrakech.
The 23-year-old found the back of the net in the opening two matches, including a 49th-minute strike for fire the Elephants to a 1-0 opening-day victory over Mozambique, before coming off the bench in a 14-minute cameo.
Amad should come into the starting XI on Tuesday, forming the front three with Udinese’s Vakoun Bayo and teenage attacker Yan Diomande.