'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Cote d'Ivoire will invite Morocco to the Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny in an international friendly on Saturday.
The hosts completed their 2023 AFCON qualification campaign last month, recording a 1-0 win over Lesotho thanks to Ibrahim Sangaré's first-half goal, assisted by Sébastien Haller.
After this friendly against Morocco, they'll meet South Africa in another friendly on Wednesday to wrap up their international window.
The visitors played Burkina Faso in a friendly last month, recording a 1-0 home win thanks to Azzedine Ounahi's first-half strike. They will play Liberia in their final match of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers on Tuesday. The match is just a formality as they have already secured their place in the main event.
Cote d'Ivoire vs Morocco Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams have locked horns 21 times in all competitions. The head-to-head record is perfectly even at the moment with seven wins for both teams and seven games ending in draws.
- The visitors are unbeaten in their last four meetings against the hosts, recording three wins on the trot. They have kept clean sheets in these games as well.
- Morocco have suffered just one defeat in their 12 friendlies, keeping eight clean sheets.
- Cote d'Ivoire have won their last five friendlies at home.
- The visitors have just two wins in their eight games in all competitions since finishing fourth in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. They have scored just four times in that period while conceding 12 goals.
- At home, Ivory Coast have won six of their last eight games in all competitions.
- 12 of the last 13 meetings between the two teams have produced fewer than 2.5 goals, with the hosts outscoring the visitors 11-8.
Cote d'Ivoire vs Morocco Prediction
Les Éléphants have failed to score in their last four meetings against the visitors, though three of these games came away from home. They are winless in their last two home meetings against the visitors and will look to return to winning ways.
Head coach Jean-Louis Gasset has called up a strong squad for the friendlies, with Wilfred Zaha and Seko Fofana headlining the lineup. They have suffered just two defeats in their last 20 home games in all competitions, with one of them coming on penalties.
The Atlas Lions have just two wins in 2023 thus far, with both coming in friendlies at home. They have kept clean sheets in three of their last four games in all competitions and will look to count on their defensive prowess in this match.
Head coach Walid Regragui has called up a strong 26-man squad for the match with Abderrazak Hamdallah, Walid Cheddira, and Jawad El Yamiq being key absentees.
The two teams meet for the first time since 2019 and, considering their current form and recent history, a low-scoring draw might ensue.
Prediction: Cote d'Ivoire 1-1 Morocco.
Cote d'Ivoire vs Morocco Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Draw
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Under 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least a goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Wilfried Zaha to score or assist any time - Yes
