Zambia vs Ivory Coast Predictions - Elephants to beat The Copper Bullets despite attacking absences

These sides sit at 2-2 across five previous meetings with one draw.

The reverse fixture finished 3-1 to Ivory Coast in June 2022.

Zambia sit second in Group H and need one point to be absolutely sure of reaching AFCON 2023. After losing 3-1 to Ivory Coast in their first qualifier, they beat Comoros 2-1 at home. 

After two friendly defeats, Chipolopolo beat Lesotho twice in AFCON qualifiers to move to nine points. A 3-1 home win preceded a 2-0 away win.

On Monday, Zambia lost 3-0 to Kuwait in a friendly with a largety second-string team.

Leicester’s Patson Daka is the key man with three goals in qualifying. Toaster Nsabata is set to start in goal despite his lack of recent minutes.

South African-based midfielders Roderick Kabwe and Ghampani Lungu are set to provide pace down the flanks for coach Avram Grant’s team.

Goalkeepers: Victor Chabu, Lawrence Mulenga, Toaster Nsabata 

Defenders: Dominic Chanda, Benedict Chepeshi, Kelvin Kapumbu, Aime Mabika, Golden Mafwenta, Samson Mkandawire, Gift Mphande, Frankie Musonda, Pride Mwansa, Tandi Mwape, Stoppila Sunzu 

Midfielders: Emmanuel Banda, Lameck Banda, Rally Bwalya, Clatous Chama, Roderick Kabwe, Kelvin Kampamba, Kings Kangwa, Patson Kwataine, Gamphani Lungu, Lubambo Musonda

Forwards: Patson Daka, Andrew Phiri, Kennedy Musonda, Francisco Mwepu, Fashion Sakala

Cote d’Ivoire are hosts of the AFCON so will be there regardless. They sit top of the Group with 10 points from four matches.

After two losses saw them exit the CHAN tournament (for home-based players), they beat Comoros 3-1 at home in an AFCON qualifier. 

Their most recent match saw a 2-0 away win in Comoros. Ibrahima Sangare and Franck Kessie scored the goals.

Coach Jean-Louis Gasset is without striker Sebastien Haller due to injury. Wingers Jérémie Boga, Amad Diallo, Nicolas Pépé and Wilfried Zaha are all absent.

New Roma defender Evan Ndicka will make his debut after switching allegiance. Lens midfielder Seko Fofana has been left out.

Goalkeepers: Charles Folly, Badra Ali Sangaré, Ira Tapé 

Defenders: Emmanuel Agbadou, Serge Aurier, Eric Bailly, Simon Déli, Ghislain Konan, Evan Ndicka, Wilfried Singo 

Midfielders: Idrissa Doumbia, Max Alain Gradel, Franck Kessié, Ibrahim Sangaré, Jean Michaël Séri 

Forwards: Simon Adingra, Jonathan Bamba, Maxwell Cornet, Karim Konaté, Christian Kouamé, Jean Evrard Kouassi, Jean Philippe Krasso

The odds are yet to be released. I am backing Ivory Coast to win this match and to score Over 1.5 goals as a team.