There'll be goals galore in Group C

 

The African Cup of Nations has been largely low-scoring so far but James Eastham expects that to change on Friday when Zambia meet Nigeria, and Burkina Faso face  Ethiopia...

 

Zambia v Nigeria (Fri)

Live on British Eurosport, 15:00 GMT, Match Odds: Zambia 3.6, Nigeria 2.36, The Draw 3.2

 

Few expected Zambia to successfully defend the title they won 12 months ago, and even fewer will think so following their 1-1 opening day draw. Up against Ethiopia,  playing at the finals for the first time in more than three decades, they led 1-0 but were unconvincing and the game eventually finished level even though Ethiopia  went down to 10 men.

 

The suspicion has always been that last year was as good as it will ever get for this group of Zambia players, and Nigeria may ram that point home. They also began  with a 1-1 draw, against Burkina Faso, but their performance was more convincing than Zambia's (but for a late red card Nigeria might have won) and they are rightly  favourites here. At 2.36, I'm willing to back them. For some, that price will be too short to oppose the defending champions, but I saw enough in the Super Eagles'  performance to suggest they can collect all three points.

 

I also like Over 2.5 Goals at 2.72 and 'Yes' in the Both Teams to Score? market at 2.25. All four teams scored and conceded in the opening games. With one point each, all four teams know a victory would be an immense step towards the last eight. I foresee two open games, so would advise either overs or both teams to score.

 

 

Burkina Faso v Ethiopia (Fri)

Live on British Eurosport & ITV4, 18:00 GMT, Match Odds: Burkina Faso 2.0, Ethiopia 4.4, The Draw 3.5.

 

Burkina Faso left it late to grab their equaliser against Nigeria (1-1) in their opening games but few begrudged them Alain Traore's 94th-minute strike. During a  spirited second-half performance The Stallions underlined why they are seen by many as - pardon the pun - dark horses in this tournament, playing some lovely football  and looking more likely to draw level than Nigeria did to make it 2-0.

 

But this will be no walkover for Burkina Faso. Ethiopia will have won a lot of fans with their first African Cup of Nations finals performance in 31 years against  Zambia last Monday. Down to 10 men and trailing 1-0 in the second-half, they fought back, equalised and had as many chances as their supposedly superior opponents to  win the game.

 

Having seen the way the two teams approached their debuts, this should be an open, exciting encounter. Ethiopia will be without first-choice goalkeeper Jemal Tassew,  the player sent off against Zambia, and Burkina Faso are clearly better going forward than defending. At the time of writing only two of eight games at the finals have  had over 2.5 goals, but overs at 2.38 is worth considering. An alternative would be 'Yes' in the Both Teams to Score? market at 2.1.

 

Recommended Bets

Best Bet: Burkina Faso v Ethiopia Both Teams to Score @ 2.1

Nigeria to beat Zambia @ 2.36

Zambia v Nigeria Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.72

 

Bet HERE

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