Equatorial Guinea - Guinea-Bissau predictions and free betting tips [18/01/2024]

Today, within the framework of the second round of Group A at the Africa Cup of Nations, two Guineas will play against each other: Equatorial and Guinea-Bissau.

Equatorial Guinea Team

The Equatorial Guinea team began their performance at the Africa Cup of Nations by retaining a draw in the first round against the Nigeria team, ending the match with a score of 1:1. Interestingly, the team only made one shot on target, which turned out to be successful in the first half. Osimhen and his partners in the Nigerian team could not overcome the defence of Equatorial Guinea, which, despite a 0.28 xG (expected number of goals), took away an essential point.

Equatorial Guinea's line-up does not stand out with bright European names and consists mainly of Spaniards with Equatorial Guinean roots, many of whom play in Spain's lower leagues. Of the leaders, it's worth mentioning the captain and local legend, former Premier League striker Emilio Nsue, and the only goal against the Nigerians was scored by Iban Salvador, who plays in Poland.

Equatorial Guinea has an impressive streak of 11 matches without defeat in official games, including two encounters in the qualifying tournament for the 2023 World Cup. On 20 November 2023, the team defeated Liberia with a score of 1:0, and on 15 November 2023 – over Namibia, also with a score of 1:0. Prior to the tournament, the team played one friendly match in which they also defeated Liberia with a score of 1:0. These results underline that, although the Equatorial Guinea team may not have star players, it is capable of demonstrating efficient and tenacious football, making it a potentially dangerous opponent at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Guinea-Bissau Team

At the Africa Cup of Nations, the Guinea-Bissau team suffered a defeat in the first round against the tournament hosts and one of the main favourites – the Ivory Coast team, with a score of 0:2. Although the Guineans have created three dangerous moments since the score became 0:2, it is believed that Ivorians had relaxed by then, so the statistics in this match is not worth attention. The Guinea-Bissau team is coached by local legend Basiru Candé, who has brought the team to the ACN four times in a row. Before his arrival, the team never participated in the tournament. However, Guinea-Bissau has not yet won a single match in the main part of the tournament and never got out of the group stage.

The main star of the team is Mama Balde, who is capable of playing both in the centre of attack and on the flank. In Troyes, he was the team's leader, but the level of Lyon is still beyond him, as he has not scored yet this season in Ligue 1. The team also includes players from leading European leagues, such as Metz central defender Fali Candé, who has even worn the colours of Benfica before, holding midfielder Alfa Semedo, and right back Nuno, who has experience playing for Porto.

Before the Africa Cup of Nations, the team played one friendly match in which they were demolished by Mali with a score of 6:2 on 6 January 2024. But in qualifying for the World Cup, the team was able to avoid defeat twice: they won against Djibouti 1:0 on 17 November 2023, and drew 1:1 with Burkina Faso on 20 November 2023. These results underline that, although Guinea-Bissau is not a tournament favourite, the team has the potential to create surprises.

Head-to-Head

There have been two notable matches in the head-to-head history between the Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau teams. In the most recent of them, which took place on 23 March 2022, Guinea-Bissau took a convincing victory with a score of 3:0. In the previous match on 10 August 2011, Guinea-Bissau also showed a strong result, winning with a score of 4:1.

Forecast for the Match Equatorial Guinea - Guinea-Bissau

The representatives of the Equatorial country looked good in defense in the first half in the first match, and Guinea-Bissau only began to show attacking football after the score became 0:2. Hosts have not lost since 2023 for 11 matches already and could take the win, I think, the match will be low scoring.