15 teams have already qualified to the African Cup of Nations which will be held in Ghana in 2008. This match will determine who will be the final National team that'll qualify to the African tournament.

The current stanings before this match is as follows:

1. Egypt P(5) W(2) D(3) L(0) F(8) A(2) Pts(9)

2. Burundi P(5) W(2) D(1) L(2) F(5) A(6) Pts(7)

3. Botswana P(5) W(2) D(1) L(2) F(3) A(6) Pts(7)

4. Muritania P(5) W(1) D(1) L(3) F(7) A(9) Pts(4)

As shown from the above table, Egypt theorytically needs the draw to book the final ticket to the ACN because even if Botswana manage to beat Muritanai away from home, Egypt are leading them due to the head-to-head record.

Since the win of the ACN 06, Egypt haven't been convincing failing to win a single match on the road (Actually this record starts from 2004) which means three years without winning an away match including the three away matches in this group.

However, when it comes to the Cairo stadium things are totally different. Egypt have beaten Muritania 3-0 and Burundi 4-1. On the other hand, Botswana also suck on the road having lost both their away matches in this group to Burundi 0-1 and to Muritania 0-4 which is the only win of Muritania in this group.

Regardless of stats, Egyptian players are classes above Botswana's and due to the easiness of the match, Egyptian manager Shehata has decided to rely on local players rather than European based players with the exception of Shawqi (Middlesbrough) and Zidan (Hamburg). He'll most probably adopt an offensive formation with three strikers upfront including Ahli's star Abo Treika, Zidan, and either of Zaki or Meteb.

On the other hand, I don't know much about the visitors except for the first leg in Botswana which ended in a 0-0 draw. However, they will most probably adopt a defensive formation and depend on counter attacks just like they did in the first match.

Prediction: I don't have a granule of doubt that Egypt will win this one by a couple of goals or more. Accordingly, maximum stakes on Egypt -2

Good Luck

Pick : Egypt
Odds : 1.96
Stake : 10 / 10
Bookmaker : Pinnacle
Date : 2007-10-13
Match Result :
Tipster Personal Link/Sponsor:

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