Kenya - Burundi predictions and free betting tips [07/06/2024]

In the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Kenya will host Burundi on Friday, 7 June. Engin Firat's squad holds third place in the group standings after a commanding victory over the Seychelles, while the visitors have amassed an equal number of points. 

Kenya

Kenya may not match the calibre of teams like Gabon, who handed them a loss in the opening round (2:1), and African champions Côte d'Ivoire, but the hosts demonstrated their resolve by thrashing the Seychelles 5:0. Michael Olunga opened the scoring within six minutes, followed by goals from Masud Juma Choka, Rooney Onyango, and Benson Omala, putting the East African side in third place in Group F with three points. In March, Kenya convincingly defeated Malawi (4:0) in a friendly, followed by a 3:1 win against Zimbabwe, accumulating three consecutive victories. They will need to maintain this momentum to challenge for a top-two spot. 

However, the red-greens have struggled at home recently, winning just one of their last five home matches. Most of the players called up in March are in the squad again, with a few newcomers, including local talents Odiambo and Gor Ma, as well as Verle from Germany, and Adam Wilson from Bradford City (4th division, England). Notably, defender Omurwa from Portuguese side Estrela is in the squad. Joseph Okumu aims to participate despite missing the last three matches for Reims due to injury.

Burundi

Like Kenya, Burundi finds itself as an underdog in this group, having beaten Gambia (3:2) in the first round before losing to Gabon at home (2:1). Goals from Jim Allevinah and Denis Bouanga gave Etienne Ndayiragije's team the lead, with Abedi Bigirimana netting a consolation goal in the 87th minute. After the first two rounds, expectations of historic success were high among fans, but recent friendlies have brought them back down to earth: a 4:0 loss to Algeria in January was followed by a 1:0 defeat to Madagascar in March and a scoreless draw with Botswana three days later. Burundi sits fourth in Group F, level on points with Kenya but trailing on goal differential. The visitors have been abysmal away from home, failing to win any of their last seven matches across all competitions and keeping a clean sheet away from home only once since October 2020. Like Kenya, Burundi’s squad lacks well-known names but includes Ndayishimiye from Nice (23 Ligue 1 appearances this season) and Bigirimana (three goals in these qualifiers). Fiston Abdul Razak led the attack against Gabon and plans to continue in the central forward role.

Head-to-Head

Neither team has scored more than one goal in their last six meetings. Additionally, all three previous matches in Kenya ended in draws.

Prediction for Kenya vs Burundi

Kenya is in good form, having scored 12 goals in their last three matches while conceding only once. In contrast, Burundi has struggled following their initial qualifying win, failing to secure a victory in their last four games. Given Burundi's poor away record, a home win for Engin Firat’s side is a safe bet.