Cameroon vs Guinea Prediction: Intense contest with goals in this one expected

Group C in the Africa Cup of Nations is set to kick off this week, and Cameroon aims to begin the competition on a positive note as they face Guinea in their opening match on Monday evening. The competitiveness of the group suggests that it wouldn't be a significant surprise if three teams from Group C advance to the knockout stages. This group includes four very capable teams, with Senegal and Gambia also scheduled to face each other earlier in the day.

Cameroon has been somewhat overlooked in the lead-up to this prestigious event, with many observers anticipating the involvement of teams like Morocco, Egypt, Senegal, and the hosts Ivory Coast in the latter stages of the tournament. Despite being the eighth favorite in the competition, this position might actually suit the Indomitable Lions well, as they won't bear the heavy burden of expectation. Their average warm-up match, resulting in a 1-1 draw against Zambia last week, may have contributed to their lower ranking, but it's essential not to dismiss Cameroon in any competition, particularly the AFCON.

Cameroon is one of only three countries to successfully defend the continental crown, an achievement that shouldn't be underestimated. Additionally, the Indomitable Lions, who secured their fifth AFCON title in Gabon in 2017 against the odds, rank as the second-most successful nation in the history of this competition, trailing only The Pharaohs (seven titles). Furthermore, Cameroon has a history of performing exceptionally well in West Africa, being the only team to clinch three AFCON titles in the region. Their initial victory occurred in the Ivory Coast in 1984, followed by back-to-back triumphs in 2000 and 2002 in Nigeria and Mali, respectively.

Guinea is undeniably a team worth keeping a close eye on in this competition, especially after turning heads in the lead-up to the tournament with a notable victory against Nigeria in their sole warm-up match last week. The National Elephants have experienced significant improvement over the last five to seven years, entering the competition ranked 15th among African nations according to the latest FIFA World Rankings.

Building on their momentum from the last competition, where they reached the knockout stages, Guinea comes into this edition with a solid track record. They have lost only one of their last six matches, winning four and drawing one of the other five. Despite Cameroon's historical success in this competition, Kaba Diawara's side has been more successful in recent head-to-head encounters, winning the last two meetings in 2021 and 2017.

Monday's game will be the 20th meeting between the two teams. Cameroon has secured victory in seven of their previous matchups, while Guinea has won two fewer. Additionally, there have been seven draws in the encounters between the two teams. In their most recent clash during the third-place match of the 2020 African Nations Championship, Guinea emerged victorious with a 2-0 win. The National Elephants maintain an undefeated streak in their last three games against Cameroon.

Cameroon, on the other hand, has been without a clean sheet in their last seven games against Guinea, with this run dating back to 1998.

Cameroon possible starting lineup:

Epassy; Castelletto, Wooh, Moukoudi, Tolo; Ntcham, Kemen, Anguissa; Ngamaleu, Ekambi, Magri

Guinea possible starting lineup:

Kone; Conte, Jeanvier, Diakhaby, Sylla; Camara, Konate, Keita; Guilavogui, Kamano, Guirassy

Cameroon is currently on a run of back-to-back draws and has managed to secure just one victory in their last five games across all competitions. Eager to break away from this trend, they will be aiming to return to winning ways in their upcoming match against Guinea. On the other hand, Guinea has performed well, winning two of their last three matches and losing only one of their last six.

Considering the historical context of their previous meetings in AFCON and their recent performances leading up to this contest, it's anticipated that both teams will find the back of the net. While both teams will be hoping for a positive outcome and cannot afford to lose, a draw seems to be a significant possibility, with a 1-1 scoreline appearing promising.