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Our betting expert provides Egypt vs DR Congo predictions for this Round of 16 match in the AFCON on Sunday, January 28th.
Despite both taking the lead and then conceding an equaliser in stoppage time against Cape Verde, Egypt took their spot in the last 16. Meanwhile, a 0-0 draw was enough for DR Congo to claim the second place in their group behind Morocco and progress.
Egypt vs DR Congo Predictions & Tips
Draw @ 2.92 with Bet9ja Under 2 in Over/Under Asian @ 1.80 with Bet9ja NG in Goal / No Goal @ 1.68 with Bet9ja 0-0 / 1-1 Multi Correct Score @ 3.15 with Bet9ja Mostafa Mohamed Over 2.5 Shots @ 2.50 with bet365 Draw/Draw in Half Time/Full Time @ 3.80 with bet365 Hamdi Fathi to be booked @ 5.50 with bet365This one looks set to go all the way
Both these nations were unbeaten in their three group games. Yet, they both progressed to this stage without winning a game. Looking at the odds with Bet9ja, we can see Egypt are the slight favourite to be the winner of this tie.
The Pharaohs are number 33 in the FIFA World rankings, with DR Congo down in 67th, which can explain why they are expected to win. The absence of Egypt’s star man Mo Salah, who has flown back to the UK for an intensive rehabilitation programme, is a huge blow.
All this makes it a tough game to call a winner in, especially with no recent head-to-head form. Therefore, backing the draw makes great appeal. All six matches involving these two sides in the tournament so far have ended all square.
Bet 1: Draw @ 2.92 with Bet9ja
Looking to profit from a low-scoring stalemate
Egypt drew all three of their group games 2-2. Salah’s absence and their opponents’ struggles in front of goal suggest this is a lower-scoring affair.
DR Congo opened their AFCON fixtures with two 1-1 draws, followed by the 0-0 draw against Tanzania. That is the trend I see continuing, and my tips favour the multi-correct score options that cover both of these outcomes.
Bet 2: 0-0 / 1-1 Multi Correct Score @ 3.15 with Bet9ja
Yellow peril for Fathi
Looking at the stats from the tournament so far, there have been 114 yellow and four red cards during the group stage. That is an average of 3.27 across the 36 games played.
This average is likely to increase, given the do-or-die nature of the tournament. And the fact that all previous cards are wiped out with regards to suspensions. Egypt only collected four bookings across their three fixtures.
Hamdi Fathi, who plays his football for Al-Wakra in Qatar, was lucky enough to escape without caution. He was sent off playing for them in November and only played two more fixtures prior to AFCON due to the suspension.
The 29-year-old committed eight fouls in his two group stage starts. Before the beginning of the competition, Fathi was carded in each of his last three starts for Egypt.
Bet 3: Hamdi Fathi to be booked @ 5.50 with bet365
Take a chance on Mbemba
If this fixture unfolds as expected and is tight, set pieces could be the key in deciding the winner. As the last of my predictions, I am dipping into the ever-popular props market.
The Congolese captain made 42 appearances in the English Premier League for Newcastle. He is the main threat in the opposition box for his team. He managed a shot on goal in both his last two appearances – a header against Tanzania and a right foot shot against Morocco.
Neither was on target, and the beauty of this bet is we don’t need him to score or even test the keeper. Any shot will do as long as OPTA are satisfied, as it is their data this will be settled on.
Bet 4: Chancel Mbemba Over 0.5 Shots @ 2.50 with bet365
