Gabon v Congo: Attacking star Aubameyang set to take centre stage once again

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was on target against Burkina Faso

There will be some outstanding goalscoring talent on show in this Group A clash, writes James Eastham...

Gabon v Congo
Wed, 19:00 GMT
Live on British Eurosport

Gabon are top of the table with 3pts and will qualify for the knockout phase if they win. Congo are under pressure to cause an upset as they could only draw their opening game so need the points. As a result it promises to be a fascinating clash in Bata.

Match Odds
Gabon 1.991/1, Congo 4.77/2, The Draw 3.3512/5

Gabon are clear favourites to win and perhaps that's no surprise given they beat Burkina Faso 2-0 in their opening game and have excellent individual talent in their ranks. But I wouldn't back them at an odds-on price on neutral territory - they didn't have things all their own way in that opening fixture, and Congo played with real quality at times in their opening game, a 1-1 draw against hosts Equatorial Guinea. I was expecting to find Gabon a shade odds-against, so if you're looking for a bet on this market then Congo or The Draw appear the value picks.

Under/Over 2.5 Goals
Unders 1.558/15, Overs 2.6813/8

Our strategy of backing Over 2.5 Goals in the opening games in this group - on the basis the prices were simply too big - came excruciatingly close without cashing: both games finished with two goals and a rash of missed chances. But it's worth considering again because of the attacking quality both teams showed in their opening fixtures.

Gabon scored twice and could have had more, while Congo's defending was suspect at times but they were extremely lively going forward (they had more shots on goal than opponents Equatorial Guinea and more shots on target as well). It's also worth noting that 46% of all teams' second matches at the finals over the past five tournaments have featured over 2.5 goals.

Both Teams to Score?
Yes 2.47/5, No 1.75/7

An alternative to Over 2.5 Goals is backing 'Yes' in the Both Teams to Score? market. This would have paid out in five of the tournament's opening six games and looks a good selection here based on how the two teams played in their opening games. Gabon were sharp up front to score twice against Burkina Faso. Even more importantly Congo showed they have real talent up front in their game, too.

Thievy Bifouma scored their only goal and was excellent, while Ladislas Douniama was mobile and alert after coming on, and there is more to come from Reims' attack-minded midfielder Prince Oniangue, too.

Given the attacking potential Congo showed in their opening game and the fact Gabon have already proved their ability to find the net, 'Yes' in this market could be a smart selection.

To Reach The Final

At 15.014/1, Gabon are sixth favourites in the outright market and could represent some value. It is early days but there were several signs in their opening game they could go deep in this tournament, notably the fact that some of their big players appear to be on form.

Goalkeeper Didier Ovono was outstanding in their 2-0 win over Burkina Faso, making several important saves and commanding his penalty area well. At the other end Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang showed his class with a goal and an ominously dangerous performance up front.

The fact that two important members of the team are performing well at either end of the field gives Gabon a solid basis for going far at this tournament. They have a good supporting cast, too, notably the centre-back partnership of Bruno Ecuele Manga and Yrondu Musavu-King, midfielder Andre Biyogo Poko and Charlton Athletic winger Frederic Bulot.

At big odds to win the entire thing you could back Gabon to go all the way or To Reach The Final.

Recommended Bets
Back Both Teams to Score @ 2.47/5
Back Gabon To Reach The Final @ 6.05/1