Gabon's performance in the Africa Cup of Nations group stage has been underwhelming, failing to win in their recent matches. However, they displayed promising attacking capabilities in earlier qualifying rounds. Ivory Coast, a traditional African powerhouse, boasts superior squad strength and experience, maintaining a stable form with an unbeaten streak in several recent games. In their recent head-to-head encounters, Ivory Coast holds a psychological advantage. This match will be played at a neutral venue, and Gabon needs to be at their best to compete against their formidable opponents. Data analysis reveals consistent support for Ivory Coast. European odds show a clear downward trend for an away win, while the odds for a home win have significantly increased. This shift aligns with the teams' relative strengths and recent form. Asian handicap lines are set at Ivory Coast -1, with low odds on the away team, indicating anticipation of a successful outcome for them. Considering the group stage performance, Gabon has suffered consecutive losses, revealing defensive vulnerabilities. In contrast, Ivory Coast has maintained a stable record in their last ten matches, with five wins, three draws, and two losses, showcasing superior overall performance and squad depth. Furthermore, Ivory Coast's historical dominance in their matches against Gabon reinforces their psychological advantage. The convergence of European and Asian odds, coupled with contrasting recent records and head-to-head results, suggests that Ivory Coast is the favourite, and is likely to win in regular time. Prediction: Ivory Coast -1 0-2 2-3

*For reference only, not betting advice
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