Ghana vs Ivory Coast Predictions & Tips - Evenly matched West African rivals to play out draw

Ghana have had some difficult recent results but will want to avoid defeat at home in this West African derby. Ivory Coast are missing some of their most dangerous front players in Zaha and Pepe so will carry less threat. I am tipping a draw.

Ivory Coast hold a 4-3 advantage across their eight previous matches against Ghana with one draw.

The sides last met in 2015 in the CHAN tournament for locally-based players as Ivory Coast won 1-0.

Ghana qualified for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament as they won four of their six group matches.

A 2-0 home win against Sudan was followed a 1-0 away defeat to the same opponents. Ghana bounced back to draw 1-1 in South Africa and secured qualification with a 3-1 win against Sao Tome.

Their last match saw a 1-0 friendly defeat in Morocco.

Thomas Partey is set to be recalled in midfield having missed the friendly defeat to Morocco.

Forward Andre Ayew and fullback Baba Rahman will be hoping for start. Defender Harrison Afful and midfielder Mukarak Wakaso were not called up due to club commitments.

Goalkeepers: Ibrahim Danlad, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Razak Abalora

Defenders: Andy Yiadom, Nicholas Opoku, Gideon Mensah, Baba Rahman, Alexander Djiku, Ismail Abdul-Ganiyu, Philomon Baffour, Joseph Adjei, Daniel Amartey

Midfielders: Emmanuel Lomotey, André Ayew, Mohammed Kudus, Iddrisu Baba, Gladson Awako, Moro Salifu, Rashid Nortey, Thomas Partey

Forwards: Jordan Ayew, Joel Fameyeh, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Samuel Owusu, Emmanuel Gyasi, Kwame Opoku

Ivory Coast safely qualified for the AFCON as they topped their group with a game to spare.

A 1-1 draw in Madagascar put qualification in danger but they won 3-0 in Niger in their next match. A 3-1 victory against Ethiopia completed the group.

In their last match, they beat Burkina Faso 2-1 as Ibrahima Sangara equalised and Man Utd youngster Amad Diallo got a 97th minute winner.

Coach Patrice Beaumelle is set to hand starts to Serge Aurier and Eric Bailly after they were unused against Burkina Faso.

Speedy wingers Jeremie Boga and Amad Diallo are pushing to start with Wilfried Zaha and Nicolas Pepe not called up.

Goalkeepers: Sylvain Gbohouo, Badra Ali Sangaré, N'Drin Ulrich Edan

Defenders: Serge Aurier, Eric Bailly, Willy Boly, Odilon Kossounou, Sinaly Diomandé, Emmanuel Agbadou, Wilfried Singo

Midfielders: Max Gradel, Serey Dié, Franck Kessié, Ibrahim Sangaré, Jérémie Boga, Serge Arnaud Aka, Hassane Kamara, Ismaila Soro, Hamed Traorè, Maxwel Cornet

Strikers: Lago Junior, Christian Kouamé, Sébastien Haller, Amad Diallo, Chris Bedia