On Saturday afternoon, the Central African Republic hosts Angola in the African Cup of Nations Group E qualifiers in what could be a pivotal game in the group.
Central African Republic form guideThe home team are in good form, winning three of their last four international matches while scoring at least two goals in each of the three victories.
Raoul Savoy’s team has also impressed of late in the African Cup of Nations, as they are unbeaten in their previous three qualifiers, having recorded back-to-back victories over Madagascar.
The two recent victories moved the Central African Republic up to second place in the group. Another win would see the home team book their place at the African Cup of Nations.
Despite their good results in qualifying, they have also recorded just two home wins in seven outings in qualifiers. Their recent home matches in qualifiers have been tight, with under 2.5 goals scored in their last seven games.
Angola form guideFor the visitors, this is a vital game, as they are currently in third place in the group, two points adrift of the home side, who occupy the second qualifying spot.
Angola’s recent international form has been a mixed bag, as they have failed to win in five international matches, but four of the games have finished in draws. However, the visitors have also lost just one of their previous ten matches.
Their recent international outings have been low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in seven of their previous nine matches.
Pedro Goncalves’ team goes into this clash on the back of a three-game winless run in qualifying, although they have lost just once in five qualifiers. Angola have been poor travellers of late in qualifying, failing to win any of their previous five qualifiers away from home.
What am I backing?This game could decide which team makes the African Cup of Nations. Neither team will want to lose this clash, so this could be a tight encounter. With all that considered, I am backing this game to produce under 2.5 goals.
