Ivory Coast head to the Philadelphia Stadium to face Curaçao in their final Group E fixture at the FIFA World Cup.
The West Africans need a win to progress and should get the better of the debutants, who remain unconvincing at this level.
Key Stats
- Curaçao are winless in six of their last seven matches in all competitions.
- Ivory Coast have won five of their last six matches in all competitions.
- Ivory Coast have won to nil in four of their last six matches in all competitions.
No Previous Meetings
This will be the first-ever clash between Curaçao and the Ivory Coast at this level.
Curaçao Still Alive
Curaçao earned their first point at the FIFA World Cup after holding out for a 0-0 draw against Ecuador in their previous fixture. They showed little attacking quality and maintained their defensive discipline, with goalkeeper Eloy Room the hero after making 15 saves.
After suffering a 7-1 defeat to Germany in their opening fixture, the draw with Ecuador means Curaçao still have a chance of qualifying from the group. A victory against the Ivory Coast puts Dick Advocaat's team in a strong position to reach the round of 32.
The problem for Curaçao is that beyond the lack of attacking quality, their overall form has been underwhelming even before the World Cup. They are winless in six of their last seven matches in all competitions, suffering four defeats in this run.
Clear Path for Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast suffered a 2-1 defeat to Germany in their previous Group E fixture. Captain Franck Kessie opened the scoring midway through the first half, but they were unable to hold on and ultimately conceded an injury-time winner.
Despite that result, the Ivory Coast remain in a strong position to qualify from the group, having begun their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Ecuador. The path is clear for the Elephants as a win against Curaçao sends them to the round of 16 regardless of the result in the other Group E fixture.
Manager Emerse Fae will consider the loss to Germany a blip as the Ivory Coast had won their previous five matches in all competitions. The West Africans are also generally solid at the back, keeping clean sheets in four of their last six matches in all competitions.
Team News and Predicted Line-ups
Curaçao (5-4-1): Eloy Room; Joshua Brenet, Jurien Gaari, Armando Obispo, Sherel Floranus, Deveron Fonville; Tahith Chong, Livano Comenencia, Leandro Bacuna, Juninho Bacuna; Jurgen Locadia.
Curaçao have a fully fit squad heading into this clash and could stick with the team that held out against Ecuador. Locadia should lead the line once again, while Bacuna is expected to feature in the midfield.
Ivory Coast: (4-3-3): Yahia Fofana, Guela Doue, Odilon Kossounou, Emmanuel Agbadou, Ghislain Konan; Ibrahim Sangare,Franck Kessie, Seko Fofana, Yan Diomande, Amad Diallo, Evan Guessand.
Doue was a second-half substitute against Germany and could earn a start for the Ivory Coast in this one. Guessand could also be drafted in to lead the line after coming off the bench last time out, while Diallo and Diomande should maintain their place in the team.