Wednesday Africa Cup of Nations predictions: Traore may inspire Mali to success

Best bets and analysis for Wednesday's matches in the round of 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Where to watch

Ivory Coast v Egypt
Sky Sports Main Event, BBC iPlayer & Red Button, 4pm Wednesday

Mali v Equatorial Guinea
Sky Sports Premier League, 7pm Wednesday

Best bets

Ivory Coast
1pt 5-4 general

Adama Malouda Traore to score at any time
1pt 3-1 general

Tuesday betting preview

Two of Afcon’s big hitters face off in a blockbuster round-of-16 clash between Ivory Coast and Egypt before Group F table-toppers Mali take on Equatorial Guinea to complete this year's quarter-final line-up.

Ivory Coast v Egypt

Sky Sports Main Event, BBC iPlayer & Red Button, 4pm Wednesday

The 2015 Afcon winners face the most successful side in the tournament’s history when Ivory Coast and Egypt match up in Douala.

Despite their storied past, the Pharaohs have hardly been convincing at this tournament. They were beaten comfortably by Nigeria before registering a pair of 1-0 wins over Guinea-Bissau and Sudan.

Ivory Coast on the other hand topped Group D in impressive fashion. They took four points from their opening two games before a strong performance in their crunch clash with reigning champions Algeria.

The Ivorians’ attack was in fine form as they beat the North Africans 3-1, creating chances almost at will.

One area where the Elephants did seem to struggle, however, and which Egypt will be looking to take advantage of, was defending set plays.

On the whole though, Ivory Coast’s squad seems to have more balance and depth than that of their opponents, who were comprehensively outplayed in their toughest test against Nigeria.

Mo Salah is a huge threat but may find his Egypt side are dumped out early by a more cohesive Ivory Coast outfit.

Mali v Equatorial Guinea

Sky Sports Premier League, 7pm Wednesday

Mali topped Group F and the two sides below them have since given that form a significant boost.

Tunisia, who Mali beat in controversial circumstances after the referee blew up early, knocked out Nigeria on Sunday before tournament debutants Gambia squeezed past Guinea to make it to the quarter-finals.

Mali can make it three teams from three from Group F to progress to the last eight against Equatorial Guinea, who despite pulling off a shock win over Algeria in the group stage look to lack the attacking threat to worry the Eagles.

One player who could stamp his mark on the game is Adama Malouda Traore. The Sheriff Tiraspol winger has registered the joint-most shots for Mali at this tournament and scored six times in Sheriff’s Champions League campaign.

The 26-year-old has formed a good relationship with fellow forwards Ibrahima Kone and Moussa Djenepo and that could be the difference between the two sides.

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