International
2013-01-29 - Burkina Faso vs Zambia
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: African Cup of Nations
Tuesday 29 January 2013 - Kick Off 5pm
This game is live on TV
Preview
Both of these teams have already picked up a point from their 'toughest' Group game in Nigeria and that means both have a real chance of making it through to the Quarter Final.
However, of the two, it is Burkino Faso who are in the driving seat as they will guarantee their place in the last eight as long as they avoid defeat. That is down to the fact that they are the only team in the section with a win thanks to their 4-0 dismantling of Ethiopia in their last game.
On the other hand, Zambia could only play out a 1-1 draw with Ethiopia despite playing the game with a man extra from the 35th minute and leading the game at that point. They are now in a position where they can guarantee their place in the Quarter Final with a win or they have to make sure they better Nigeria's score. It is also possible that Zambia can go through with a draw as long as they can out-score Nigeria, although both sides drawing 1-1 makes this awkward.
It would be a serious come down for Zambia if they fail to qualify from the Groups a year after they won the African Cup of Nations. However, they have been riding their luck a little for a while, needing penalties to knock out Uganda in the qualifying campaign for the tournament.
Burkino Faso are probably considered a surprise package at this moment, but they are still putting all the pressure on the current Champions of Africa. Paul Put has been playing down his teams chances of securing the point that would guarantee their place in the next Round, although I am sure that is gamesmanship.
His side are now unbeaten in their last 7 games, although Burkino Faso have drawn 3 of their last 5 games. On the other hand, Zambia have failed to win any of their last 8 games, while drawing 4 in a row heading into this game.
Head to Head
Burkino Faso and Zambia will meet for the first time since 2002 and that finished with a 2-1 win for Burkino Faso.
This is the sixth time the nations will meet one another, and Zambia have failed to win their last 2 games following 3 straight wins over Burkino Faso before that.
Prediction
Both of these sides will have an element of pressure on them, but Zambia have to be feeling the strain of trying to defend their African Cup of Nations title from a year ago.
The form shows that Burkino Faso should be the favourites, but the layers do disagree. I can't really separate the teams and pick a winner, and the draw looks a decent call in a tournament where that result has proved popular.
The Pick :
Burkino Faso 1-1 Zambia
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back the Draw @ 3.25
