Africa Cup of Nations will kick off on Saturday, 13 January. Let's find out who is more likely to lift the trophy this time!
First thing first, check these betting odds for the AFCON winner, provided by the Yesplay bookmaking company.
As you can see, no clear favourite would be head and shoulders above everyone else. However, Morocco's chances to lift the cup are a bit bigger.
Now, let's convert the betting odds to percentages and see the top 5 FCON favourites:
Morocco - over 16.5%
Senegal - over 14%
Ivory Coast - 12.5%
Nigeria - 12%
Algeria - over 11%
Interestingly, last AFCON's runners-up, Egypt, are out of top five this time. Now, let's have a closer look at some teams participating in the 2024 AFCON
Взглянем подробнее на главных фаворитов Кубка Африки, их предыдущие достижения, топ-игроков, а также – на статистические тренды, которые могут быть полезными любителям беттинга этой зимой.
Morocco, win betting odds - 6.00
Best AFCON results: Winners in 1976
Key players: Achraf Hakimi, Hakim Ziyech, Yassine Bounou
Last 10 games: Four wins, three draws, three defeats
Last time, Morocco went all the way to the semi-final. This time, they have a great squad, well-balanced and strong. No wonder bookies rate them as favourites.
However, Morocco were strong and balanced in the previous tournamets as well but something has been stopping them from winning. Last AFCON triumph happened nearly 50 years ago and last time Morocco qualified for the final, was twenty years ago.
Morocco's key strength is their defence: it helped them a lot during the World Cup in Qatar.
Senegal, win betting odds - 7.00
Best AFCON results: Reigning champions
Key players: Sadio Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly, Nicolas Jackson
Last 10 games: Six wins, three draws, one defeat
Senegal have a great chance to defend their title. In 2021, they lifted the AFCON for the first time ever, now they can become the fourth team in history to secure back-to-back cup triumphs.
The only potential issue with Senegal's star-studded squad is motivation. Mane, Koulibaly and Mendy completed money moves to the Saudi Pro League: are they still hungry for trophies?
Senegal's key strength is their defensive game: they have secured four clean sheets in the last four games. Bettors take note!
Ivory Coast, win betting odds - 8.00
Best AFCON results: Winners in 1992 and 2015
Key players: Serge Aurier, Franck Kessie, Sebastien Haller
Last 10 games: Six wins, two draws, two defeats
The Elephants are among the favourites not just because they are hosting the cup. Their great form matters, too. Ivorians' last three games ended with three wins, 16 goals scored and just one goal conceded.
Those who prefer to place 'goals total over' bets should consider Ivory Coast, for sure.
Nigeria, win betting odds - 8.50
Best AFCON results: Winners in 1980, 1994 and 2013
Key players: Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho
Last 10 games: Four wins, three draws, three defeats
The Super Eagles are quite unbalanced: they score a lot but they concede a lot as well. In their last five games, they have failed to keep a clean sheet. In three of those games, Nigeria concede two goals or more.
That means even underdogs can score when they play against Nigeria but the Super Eagles should be scoring as well. After all, Victor Osimhen is a goal-machine.
Algeria, win betting odds - 9.00
Best AFCON results: Winners in 1990 and 2019
Key players: Riyad Mahrez, Ismael Bennacer, Islam Slimani
Last 10 games: Seven wins, three draws
Algeria are arguably the best team among the AFCON participants in terms of recent results. It's unbelievable how they failed to qualify for the two last World Cups.
Statistically wise, Algeria are a very practically-minded team. In recent years Mahrez and Co. often score one or two goals that are just enough to win.
AFCON 'dark horses'
Cameroon, win betting odds - 10.00
Once the strongest of African teams, the Lions are now weaker than any of the teams above. However, they have some stars on their roster - Onana, Anguissa and others - and that means you cannot write them off just yet.
Egypt, win betting odds - 10.00
The Pharaons have won the AFCON seven times, more than any other team on the continent! The problem is they have Mohamed Salah... and the rest. That's the reason why bookies don't rate them higher.
Tunisia, win betting odds - 12.00
The Tunisians looked really solid at the previous World Cup. Their defense-minded gameplay helped them to beat France and surpass Denmark in their group.
If you prefer to place 'goals total under' bets, Tunisia might be your team of choice.
Ghana, win betting odds - 14.00
Years keep passing by but the Ayew brothers are there! This time, Jordan and Andre are accompanied by younger stars like Inaki Wiliams, Mohammed Kudus and Antoine Semenyo. Everything suggests Ghana should qualify for the quarter-final and the rest will depend on the match-ups and luck.
