Ivory Coast North Korea Betting – Les Elephants Roll Over North Korea In Finale

Online betting players will be watching the “Group of Death” come to a close on Friday, when the Ivory Coast will be trying to overcome a large goal difference when they face North Korea, who were romped in their last game. The Ivorians will give it everything they have to get the win, but they’ll come up short in their quest for the second round of the World Cup

• What: World Cup Betting
• When: Friday, June 25th, 10:00 AM ET
• Where: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
• Key Stats: This is the first meeting between these two countries

The Storyline

Les Elephants know that they need to win by a wide margin, even if Portugal loses, to go to the next round after a 3-1 loss to Brazil in their last Group G match. The Chollima were pounded 7-0 by Portugal in the first match aired on North Korean television in 44 years, so they’re just looking for an effort similar to their 2-1 loss to Brazil in their opener.

Who Has The Edge On Offense: Ivory Coast North Korea Betting

The Ivory Coast managed a 79th-minute goal by Didier Drogba to avoid being shut out, but they really couldn’t muster much against a Brazil team who controlled the ball for most of the match. Drogba was alone up front a lot of the time as manager Sven-Goran Eriksson decided to play more defensively against the Samba Kings and hit them on the counterattack. Salomon Kalou has been virtually invisible in this tournament and needs a big game to support his Chelsea teammate, Drogba.

The North Koreans carved out a couple of opportunities in the first half against Portugal, but like Drogba, striker Jong Tae-Se was left isolated up front while the rest of the team defended. Tae-Se’s best chances were from dead balls 30 yards out, which has been the story of the tournament for the North Koreans, and with nothing to lose, you may see them go for the attack a little more in their finale.

Who Has The Edge In Defense: Ivory Coast North Korea Betting

Les Elephants were chasing shadows for most of the match against Brazil, failing to close them down, and the defense in particular had a torrid time with Luis Fabiano. Even though Fabiano’s second goal shouldn’t have counted due to a handball committed by the Brazilian forward, that doesn’t take away from the fact that the Ivory Coast couldn’t handle the ball movement of Brazil, although that’s something they shouldn’t have to worry about in this match.

North Korea imploded in the second half of the Portugal match, allowing three goals in seven minutes early in the half, and then another three goals in the final 10 minutes. They were torn apart by the speed of Cristiano Ronaldo, and then they paid so much attention to him that he was finding open teammates left and right before he scored in the 87th minute. Keeper Ri Myong-Guk probably had nightmares on Monday night.

Notable Injuries – Ivory Coast North Korea Betting

Both teams are healthy heading into their final match in the “Group of Death”.

Totals – Ivory Coast North Korea Betting

The Ivory Coast should be in a bullish mood after losing to Brazil, and they know they need to make up Portugal’s huge goal difference, which is currently at +7, while the Ivorians are at -2. They won’t make it up, but they’ll give it a shot.

Ivory Coast North Korea Betting Prediction & Outlook

Les Elephants are -275 favorites to end their World Cup campaign on a high note, while North Korea is rated at +725, and a draw comes in at +365. These two have never met before, and the North Koreans are going to have to deal with the power of Drogba, who is probably going to get double-teamed at every chance as North Korea doesn’t have anyone who can handle his aerial strength. The North Koreans will be trying to keep the score respectable after getting routed by Portugal, but we see the Ivorians scoring at least three on them to try and make up that difference. There will be no sports betting upset on Friday.

Bet World Cup: Ivory Coast -275