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African Cup of Nations

African Cup of Nations Betting: Ivory Coast v Mali

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Believe it or not, we have already arrived at the climax of the first round of the African Cup of Nations.

At 17:00 GMT on Tuesday Mali take on the Ivory Coast and both sides will be confident of progressing if they can come away with a point. Tournament favourites Ivory Coast have already qualified for the quarter finals. The Elephants, trading at [3.15] to lift the trophy, have won both fixtures so far and need just a point to progress in top spot.

A draw would also suit Mali, who are on offer at [23.0] to go all the way. The Eagles are second-placed after their victory over Benin and a draw with Nigeria. This clash in Accra trades at [2.04] to end level, with Ivory Coast on offer at [2.54] to maintain their 100% record and Mali available at [6.6] to nick first place with a win.

Those who are backing a stalemate and an early return home for Nigeria might expect it to be a low-scoring one.

The Elephants kept four consecutive clean sheets in qualifying and have had their defence breached just once in the tournament, whilst Jean-Francois Jordar's outfit have also conceded one in six on their way to Ghana and have shut out both Benin and Nigeria.

That goalless draw with the Super Eagles has been the only one in the tournament to date and punters might want to look at the low-scoring markets for this clash as they develop.

However, there will be plenty of attacking talent on show. Ivory Coast's Chelsea forward line of Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou, supplemented by Aruna Dindane and Arouna Koné, is sure to test the resolute Mali defence.

The Eagles rely on lone striker Frédéric Kanouté for their goals and the Sevilla hitman - with one goal so far - can be backed at [18.0] to finish as tournament top scorer, a feat he achieved with three others in Mali's last appearance at the finals four years ago.

Mali have beaten Ivory Coast just once in 17 attempts, in 1995, although they are ranked only nine places lower than their west African rivals in FIFA's world rankings. They have reached the semi finals on each of their four previous appearances and trade at [5.5] to reach the final this time around.

Both sides are without key players for this clash: Ivory Coast stopper Kolo Touré has a groin strain and Mali skipper Mahamadou Diarra misses out through suspension.