Predictions Ivory Coast vs. Zambia: Elephants win with a comfortable lead

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Ivory Coast vs Zambia Prediction: Betting, Context and Lineups

Best bets for Ivory Coast vs Zambia

• Ivory Coast wins @ 1.30 with 1xBetwhich corresponds to a 77 percent chance for Ivory Coast to defeat Zambia.
• Over 2.5 goals @ 1.90 with 1xBetwhich corresponds to a 53 percent chance of three or more goals being scored.
• 3-0 Correct Score @ 7.00 with 1xBetwhich corresponds to a 14 percent chance of Ivory Coast beating Zambia 3-0.

With a 3-0 home win against Avram Grant's Zambia, the Elephants will prove their dominance in Group G early.

Our analysis: Assessment of the form of both teams

Ivory Coast prepares to host Zambia in Bouake on Friday evening, with both nations looking to get off to a flying start in their quest to qualify for the 2025/26 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Ivorians have built on their success at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations to put themselves in pole position for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification. A win over Gabon in the summer, followed by a goalless draw in Kenya, cemented their place at the top of the group.

Also worth mentioning is their impressive 2-1 friendly win against Uruguay in March, which underlines the full potential of this Elephants team.

For Avram Grant's Zambia, 2024 has been a less successful year. The Copper Bullets have suffered defeats in their last five competitive matches in a row. In fact, they have only won two of their 15 matches.

Grant is a coach with vast international experience. The Israeli boss is no newcomer to African football, having coached the Ghana national team for three years. However, the Black Stars are a nation full of talent, something that cannot be said of the Copper Bullets at the moment.

Expected lineups for Ivory Coast vs Zambia

The expected formation of the Ivory Coast in 3-5-2:

Fofana; Agbadou, Operi, Singo, Kossounou, Ndicka, Seri, Kessie, Sangare, Diallo, Haller

The expected formation for Zambia in 4-1-4-1:

Mulenga; Mphande, Sunzu, Mwape, Chongo, Chaiwa, Musonda, Kangwa, L. Banda, Kampamba, Chilufya

Elephants can enjoy their home comforts

Reigning AFCON champions Ivory Coast begin their road to the 2025/26 AFCON with their first Group G qualifier at home against Zambia. Emerse Faes Elephants are in good form heading into qualifiers against Zambia and Chad this week.

They currently top their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying group and are unbeaten in their first four matches without conceding a goal. They have also scored an average of three goals per game, which increases our confidence in a home victory on Friday.

Ivory Coast vs. Zambia Tip 1: Ivory Coast wins @ 1.30 with 1xBet

Direct comparison makes goals seem likely

Ivory Coast and Zambia have met six times between 2009 and 2023. In four of these six encounters, the games ended with more than 2.5 goals scored.

In fact, two of the matches saw four and five goals respectively. The firepower of the Elephants team – coupled with their recent goal-scoring record in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers – suggests that they will play offensively from the first minute.

Ivory Coast vs. Zambia Tip 2: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.90 with 1xBet

Hosts score three goals without conceding

We believe the correct scoreline of 3-0 is the best choice for Friday night. Zambia have failed to score in their last four competitive matches, including failing to score in their recent COSAFA Cup match against underdogs Comoros.

Zambia also suffered a serious injury blow: their leading striker Patson Daka suffered a serious ankle injury during pre-season which will keep him out of action for three months.

Manchester United's Ivorian striker Amad Diallo has been called up to the squad as a reward for his recent form at the club and will be another major goal threat for the Elephants alongside the likes of Sebastien Haller.

Ivory Coast vs. Zambia Tip 3: 3-0 Correct Score @ 7.00 with 1xBet