Sadio Mane’s Senegal will take on Egypt and Mohamed Salah in a Liverpool derby to decide the Africa Cup of Nations. The Pharaohs will be battle-hardened after coming through a tougher route to the final but the Lions of Teranga have been visually more impressive.
Cameroon will hope home advantage gives them the edge when they face fellow former Africa Cup of Nations champions Egypt in the second semi-final on Thursday. Both teams know what it takes to go all the way in this tournament but Cameroon have the added incentive of lifting the trophy on home soil.
Senegal will be looking to reach a second successive Africa Cup of Nations final when they face Burkina Faso. Sadio Mane and Co began the tournament as favourites in the outright betting and remain on course to justify their status after cruising through to the last four.
Senegal and Guinea were always expected to advance from Africa Cup of Nations Group B and both head into this contest with a win on the board. Liverpool stars Sadio Mane and Naby Keita will be on opposing teams for a change in Bafoussam, but the former has a better supporting cast on paper.
Cameroon survived a scare to win their Africa Cup of Nations opener and the hosts can build on that by beating Ethiopia in Group A. The Walias began as outsiders to qualify from this pool and have an even bigger mountain to climb after kicking off with a defeat.
Tunisia and Mali drew 1-1 during the pool stage of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019 and are backed to share the spoils again in Cameroon. With Gambia and Mauritania expected to merely make up the numbers in Group F, another stalemate would surely suit both sides.
Nigeria and Egypt should prove a class apart from Sudan and Guinea-Bissau in their AFCON pool so a draw may satisfy both sides when they meet. However, bookmakers have cut the odds of a stalemate, so we’re looking elsewhere for value in this Group D opener.
Morocco and Ghana are both expected to qualify from Group C at the Africa Cup of Nations and may settle for a share of the spoils first up. Gabon could gatecrash the top two spots but Comoros look out of their depth, so a draw would be a solid result for each of these sides.
Senegal begin the Africa Cup of Nations as favourites in the outright betting and it would be a big surprise if they have any trouble getting out of Group B. The Lions of Teranga have never won the tournament but are well fancied for success in Cameroon and can ease their way into the knockout stage.
Cameroon are the Africa Cup of Nations hosts so will be determined to get off to a confident start in front of their own fans in the tournament opener. The Indomitable Lions are one of the leading fancies at 9.50 to win the tournament for the sixth time, having triumphed most recently in 2017.
Cape Verde are clear third favourites to qualify from Group A at the Africa Cup of Nations and know an opening win over rank outsiders Ethiopia is vital. The onus is on the Blue Sharks to make a fast start before facing tougher tests ahead and we think they can handle that pressure.
Holders Algeria are rated a solid selection to retain their trophy at 7.0 in our outright Africa Cup of Nations predictions. Captain Riyad Mahrez is enjoying a stand-out season with Manchester City, scoring in each of his last five appearances to make it 13 goals this term.
The 2021 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on January 9 in Cameroon, with the final almost a month later on February 6. With African players fulfilling key roles at many top European clubs, whose domestic seasons will continue during the tournament, some absences will be keenly felt.
Senegal got the nod in our pre-tournament Africa Cup of Nations preview, but Algeria have already beaten them 1-0 during the pool stage in Egypt. With both teams coming through dramatic semi-final victories, everything points towards this being another close encounter in our book.