Cameroon v Guinea: Far from indomitable

Cameroon need better from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting against underrated Guinea

Dave Farrar predicts Guinea will upset the odds against Cameroon, but will you be brave enough to back them?

Cameroon v Guinea
Sat, 19:00
Live on British Eurosport

A late equaliser spared Cameroon's blushes in their opening match against Mali, and they'll have to play a lot better here to get a first win of this year's Africa Cup of Nations.

Much has been made of the bravery of coach Volker Finke in ditching the old guard in favour of a new generation, but there wasn't anything particularly zestful about the Indomitable Lions in their opening game.

They have an excellent goalkeeper in Fabrice Ondoa, and will be strengthened defensively here by the return of their captain Stephane Mbia, yet there are questions to answer. Even without Eyong Enoh in the centre of midfield, they look solid enough there, but can they find the inspiration if front of goal to create chances for the likes of Vincent Aboubakar and Clinton Njie.

They'll need a much better performance from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting in particular if they're to truly trouble Guinea.

Having come so close to shocking Ivory Coast, should Guinea really be as big as 4.84/1 to do the same to Cameroon? They really shouldn't. This, remember, is a team that managed to qualify despite not playing a single qualifying match at home.

If you take notice of such things, they also have a higher FIFA ranking than Cameroon, and are every bit as good as Mali, with Mo Yattara a constant threat up front, and wide men who can play quickly on the counter attack and may make real use of a lack of pace and defensive nous in Cameroon's full back areas.

There's every chance that this is a game that could have goals, and Over 2.5 goals is trading at a tempting 2.68/5, but I like the idea of opposing Cameroon here, as I like several of their players individually, but am unconvinced by them as a group.

So do we lay them at 2.01/1 and keep the draw onside, or do we dive into a chunky looking 4.84/1 about a Guinean win?

I'm afraid that I'm going to err on the side of caution. Not because I don't think Guinea CAN win, but because I fear a little bit for their confidence after throwing away that lead against Ivory Coast. And Cameroon have already shown us once that they can fight back.

I don't expect either of these teams to win the competition, and another tight game is on the cards as we try and work out just who on earth is going to separate themselves from the rest. 

Recommended Bet
Lay Cameroon against Guinea @ 2.01/1