Spain U23 vs Ivory Coast U23 Predictions

• Both Spain and Ivory Coast are unbeaten at the Olympics.
• Les Elephants held Brazil and Germany to draws.
• Four of the six games involving one of these two sides so far have been draws.

Ivorians can make life tough for Spain

Tournament favourites Spain have underwhelmed so far at the Olympics and could be in line for a stern test against the unbeaten Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals.

La Rojita opened their account with a goalless draw with Egypt before claiming a narrow 1-0 win over Australia.  Spain took the lead in their final group game against Argentina but were left hanging on to secure a 1-1 draw that saw them qualify as Group C winners..

The Ivory Coast also came through the group stages with a win and two draws after beating Saudi Arabia 2-1, before a 0-0 draw with Brazil and a 1-1 stalemate with Germany.

Les Elephants had a one-man advantage for the majority of their game against the Selecao but were unable to force a breakthrough, but they impressed against the Germans.  The African outfit took the lead in the second half via an own goal and then managed to claim the point they needed after a Germany equaliser to secure their place in the next round, dumping the European heavyweights out in the process.

Those points against top level opponents suggest the Ivory Coast can at least make this a battle against Spain and we feel they offer real value in the double chance market.  On paper, Spain have by far and away the strongest squad in the competition but as yet they haven’t hit top form and and Soualiho Haidara’s men should be in confident mood after emerging from an incredibly tough Group D unbeaten.

Spain will dominate possession for large periods, as they have done in all of their games so far, but are lacking a cutting edge in attack and that could well prove their undoing in their bid for gold.  

A 1-1 result looks a strong option in the correct score market, as Ivory Coast have three goals in as many games so far, while Spain have managed two goals and looked vulnerable at the back at times against Argentina.