Curaçao vs Ivory Coast Predictions - Ivory Coast to seal progression at World Cup with a win

John Eastwood

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Last updated: 2 hours ago

John Eastwood 2 hours ago

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Ivory Coast qualify for round of 32 with a win; Curacao still have a slim chance.
Curacao struggle in attack and are winless in 6 of last 7 matches.
Ivory Coast expected to win to nil, showing strong defense and recent form.

Ivory Coast (Getty Images)

Curacao vs Ivory Coast Predictions

Ivory Coast can seal their spot in the round of 32 with victory here. While Curacao can also still qualify with a win, they lack the quality to really threaten three points here.

Curacao vs Ivory Coast Predictions
Head to Head
Curaçao Form
Ivory Coast Form
Curacao vs Ivory Coast News and Predicted Line-ups

Curaçao are winless in six of their last seven matches in all competitions.
Ivory Coast have won five of their last six matches in all competitions.
Ivory Coast have won to nil in four of their last six matches in all competitions.

Head to Head

This is the first time these nations will meet.

Curaçao Form

Curaçao earned their first point at the FIFA World Cup after holding out for a 0-0 draw against Ecuador in their previous fixture. They showed little attacking quality and maintained their defensive discipline, with goalkeeper Eloy Room the hero after making 15 saves.

After suffering a 7-1 defeat to Germany in their opening fixture, the draw with Ecuador means Curaçao still have a chance of qualifying from the group. A victory against the Ivory Coast puts Dick Advocaat's team in a strong position to reach the round of 32.

The problem for Curaçao is that beyond the lack of attacking quality, their overall form has been underwhelming even before the World Cup. They are winless in six of their last seven matches in all competitions, suffering four defeats in this run.

Ivory Coast Form

Ivory Coast suffered a 2-1 defeat to Germany in their previous Group E fixture. Captain Franck Kessie opened the scoring midway through the first half, but they were unable to hold on and ultimately conceded an injury-time winner.

Despite that result, the Ivory Coast remain in a strong position to qualify from the group, having begun their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Ecuador. The path is clear for the Elephants as a win against Curaçao sends them to the round of 16 regardless of the result in the other Group E fixture.

Manager Emerse Fae will consider the loss to Germany a blip as the Ivory Coast had won their previous five matches in all competitions. The West Africans are also generally solid at the back, keeping clean sheets in four of their last six matches in all competitions.

Curacao vs Ivory Coast News and Predicted Line-ups

Curaçao (5-4-1): Eloy Room; Joshua Brenet, Jurien Gaari, Armando Obispo, Sherel Floranus, Deveron Fonville; Tahith Chong, Livano Comenencia, Leandro Bacuna, Juninho Bacuna; Jurgen Locadia.

Curaçao have a fully fit squad heading into this clash and could stick with the team that held out against Ecuador. Locadia should lead the line once again, while Bacuna is expected to feature in the midfield.

Ivory Coast: (4-3-3): Yahia Fofana, Guela Doue, Odilon Kossounou, Emmanuel Agbadou, Ghislain Konan; Ibrahim Sangare,Franck Kessie, Seko Fofana, Yan Diomande, Amad Diallo, Evan Guessand.

Doue was a second-half substitute against Germany and could earn a start for the Ivory Coast in this one. Guessand could also be drafted in to lead the line after coming off the bench last time out, while Diallo and Diomande should maintain their place in the team.

Verdict

Curacao v Ivory Coast

Curaçao have shown some fight and discipline, but there remains a lack of quality, particularly in attack. Ivory Coast are likely to be largely untroubled at the back, and they do pose a major threat up front.

The Elephants are expected to have the upper hand here and should claim a win to nil over Curaçao.