Sunday Africa Cup of Nations predictions: Thunder to make life hard for Senegal

Best bets and analysis for Sunday's matches in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Where to watch

Egypt v Morocco
Sky Sports Premier League, 3pm Sunday

Senegal v Equatorial Guinea
BBC2 & Sky Sports Football, 7pm Sunday

Best bets

Morocco
1pt 13-8 bet365, Betfred, Boyles

Draw in Senegal v Equatorial Guinea
1pt 12-5 Betfred

Sunday betting preview

The quarter-final stage of the Africa Cup of Nations concludes on Sunday with seven-time winners Egypt taking on an undefeated Morocco. That's followed by a David versus Goliath clash as Equatorial Guinea bid to continue their unlikely run by knocking out tournament favourites Senegal.

Egypt v Morocco

Morocco took their unbeaten run to 27 matches with their 2-1 win over Malawi in the last 16 and can make it 28 against Egypt in a crunch tussle in the last eight.

The Atlas Lions have looked one of the better sides in a competition devoid of too much quality, and should be trusted to see off the one-trick Egyptians.

Vahid Halilhodzic's men, the higher-ranked of the two teams at 28th in the world, have done nothing wrong so far. A 2-0 win over Ghana was the pick of their group-stage results before they demonstrated plenty of spirit to come from behind against Malawi.

Wolves' Romain Saiss is anchoring the defence well, PSG's Achraf Hakimi offers options going forward as well as defensive nous, Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat is composed in midfield and seven goals scored is a veritable landslide in this tournament. Angers' in-form frontman Sofiane Boufal has two strikes to his name.

Certainly, Egypt don't look anywhere near as potent with pretty much everything seeming to rest on Mohamed Salah's shoulders.

They have kept three straight clean sheets which is commendable, especially as the last of those was blunting a decent Ivory Coast side. But their only wins so far were unconvincing 1-0 efforts over Guinea-Bissau and Sudan.

The Pharaohs are also praying keeper Mohamed El Shenawy is fit after he limped out of the Ivory Coast slog with a tweaked hamstring.

Senegal v Equatorial Guinea

Senegal went into the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals as tournament favourites despite having underwhelmed at every stage, and look way too short to beat yet another plucky minnow.

Aliou Cisse’s men managed to get past nine-man Cape Verde - ranked 73rd in the world - in the last 16, but it was a contest devoid of any real quality.

But Malawi, 129th in Fifa's rankings, had drawn 0-0 with the Senegalese – days after Guinea had done likewise – so Equatorial Guinea, ranked 114, should have few fears they can keep Sadio Mane and pals at bay.

Mane has been passed fit following the concussion scare against Cape Verde and will carry the threat for his side once more. The Liverpool star has scored two of the three goals Senegal have mustered during their unconvincing run to this stage of the competition, and they would be appreciably less threatening without him.

Equatorial Guinea have barely threatened at all throughout the tournament and will pretty much try to replicate what they did against higher-ranked Mali in the last 16, which is pack the defence and play for the 0-0 and a penalty shootout. It has worked for them once.

They have shipped only one goal in four games and clean sheets against Algeria, Sierra Leone and Mali suggest they can keep Senegal at bay in what is bound to be a tense affair with the stakes so high.

Senegal have won two of their four games. They needed a 97th-minute penalty to take care of Zimbabwe while Cape Verde were down to nine men before they finally conceded on Tuesday.

Not got a Paddy Power account? Sign up and get up to £50 in free sports bets

Place a single £10 Sportsbook bet and get money back as a free bet if it loses. There are x5 Free Bets available. Max refund per qualifying bet is £10. Only deposits made via Credit/Debit Card will be eligible for the promotion. Paddy's Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply 18+ begambleaware.org

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport