Ivory Coast have talent all over the pitch

World Cup qualifier
BT Sport 2, 6.30pm Tuesday

Ivory Coast consolidated first place in African World Cup qualifying Group C with a 3-0 victory away to Gabon on Saturday and they should have no problem defeating the same opponents in Bouake.

The battle for the top spot - the only qualification berth - is boiling down to a scrap between the Ivory Coast and Morocco, who are two points further back.

Third-placed Gabon still have a mathematical chance but need to take three points away to Ivory Coast to get back into contention.

They haven't scored a goal in their first three games and are without star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who has not featured for them since the Africa Cup of Nations at the beginning of the year.

Without Aubameyang the main goal threat is Konyaspor forward Malick Evouna, who has netted 12 goals in 30 internationals.

But Gabon are likely to find themselves outgunned by an Ivory Coast side packed with attacking talent.

Sporting Lisbon striker Seydou Doumbia was the principal match-winner for the Elephants at the weekend – scoring two goals – but Gabon will also have to pay close attention to Salomon Kalou and Gervinho, who have amassed international goal tallies of 28 and 22.

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Ivory Coast are also strong at the back and have conceded just one goal in three qualifiers.

The back four that started at the weekend featured Manchester United centre-back Eric Bailly and new Tottenham right-back Serge Aurier and they are well protected by 20-year-old powerhouse midfielder Franck Kessie, who joined Milan on a two-year loan deal from Atalanta this summer.

The Elephants have a nice mix of youth and experience and should be far too strong for Gabon, who will struggle to get on the scoresheet.

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