On Monday afternoon, Gambia and Ivory Coast clash in gameweek two of African World Cup qualifying in Group F.
Gambia form guideThe home team kicked off their qualification campaign with a 3-2 defeat in Burundi. The loss came on the back of a three-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
Gambia has now won just two of their previous seven matches in all competitions. One of their main issues of late has been a poor defence, as they have conceded at least two goals in four of their previous five outings.
The hosts have struggled in World Cup qualifying lately, winning just one of their previous 12 qualifiers while also suffering four straight defeats.
Gambia has also won just one of their previous five home qualifiers. Their qualifiers on home soil have been low-scoring affairs, with under 2.5 goals scored in eight of their last ten matches.
Ivory Coast form guideThe Elephants made it four international games unbeaten by recording an incredible 9-0 home victory over the Seychelles in their opening World Cup qualifier. The win also means that the visitors have lost just one of their previous seven games.
When it comes to qualifying for the World Cup, Ivory Coast has a strong recent record, winning five of the previous six qualifiers. Their main strength in qualifying has been scoring goals, as they have scored at least two goals in five of their last six games in qualifying.
Ivory Coast has also been difficult to beat on their travels in qualifying, as a 1-0 defeat against Cameroon in their last away qualifier ended a 19-match unbeaten away run.
The visitors have also kept clean sheets in six of their previous seven qualifiers on their travels.
What am I backing?Ivory Coast has a strong recent record in qualifying, and I am backing the Elephants to make it two wins out of two in qualifying in this clash.
