Ivory Coast vs Senegal Prediction: Senegal to get a tough win

On Saturday at the Stade 19 Mai 1956, two of the favorites to win the 2023 African Nations Championship, Ivory Coast and Senegal, will square off against one another. The teams will compete against Uganda and the two-time defending champions, the Congo Democratic Republic (DRC), in Group B of the tournament.

During Monday's friendly matchup, the Chinguetti Lions of Mauritania defeated the Ivory Coast by a score of 3-0. Bessam and Hemeya Tanjy scored in the first half, putting Souhalio Haidara's team in an impossible position, and then Bona scored with four minutes remaining to seal the deal. After winning five of their first six games before the new year, the Elephants have lost their last two. In the upcoming match, Ivory Coast will be competing against a team that has won only one of the last ten times these two sides have met. Ivory Coast will want to make a splash at this year's CHAN tournament after missing out on the previous competition in 2020.

On Monday, Senegal beat Congo by a score of 1-0, capping off a successful preseason leading up to this year's African Nations Championship. Pape Thiaw's team took the lead early on thanks to a goal from midfielder Lamine Camara, and that goal ended up being the game-winner in a match where scoring opportunities were scarce. That was the Lions of Teranga's first win in four games across all competitions and their first shutout since September. After a solid showing at the World Cup in Qatar, Senegal will be eager to make a good impression in only their third appearance at the event.

With two top teams fighting for three important points to get their competition going, we can expect an open game with goals at both ends. We could also see each team tie and end up with one point each. However, betting on under 2.5 goals will be the best bet in this match.