- Recent form: Curacao have lost four of their last five matches in all competitions, winning once.
- Current run: Ivory Coast have won four consecutive games and come into this game on the back of a four-game winning streak.
- Squad comparison: Ivory Coast are a well-disciplined, balanced side with a good mix of experience and quality, whereas Curacao are much less polished.
Pride and position at stake for both teams
Curacao sit fourth in Group E of the FIFA World Cup after losing their opening match to Germany in emphatic fashion on Thursday. The Caribbean islanders conceded seven goals in that game and were fortunate to escape with a consolation strike, but coach Dick Advocaat will have been heartened by a few positive things about his team's performance.
The experienced Dutch coach has implemented a pragmatic and flexible system and Curacao's 4-0 win over Aruba was a perfect example of how they can be effective with the ball and very difficult to beat without it. The structure is built around a 4-3-3 system with a compact block in front of the goal or spread out with wide men covering and the wingbacks pushing into the midfield.
It's a vertical game of football, with Curacao's best chances of attacking down the wings, but they need their players to stick to the gameplan when the pressure comes.
Ivory Coast are second in the group after earning a narrow 1-0 win over Ecuador in their opener. Coach Emerse Faé has clearly done a great job since taking the reins in January 2024, instilling a strong tactical discipline and a well-balanced structure around a disciplined midfield.
Ivory Coast should have the quality and class
Tactical approach
Faé's team plays a controlled version of 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, where they look to dominate the midfield and dictate the pace. They are capable of applying high intensity pressure in the right areas and will break their opponents down with clever and incisive forward passes.
Key players
Ivory Coast's away form has been impressive with three wins from their last four, including the recent 2-1 victory over France, and they look the best bet to add another three points to their tally in this match. The odds are obviously in favour of the Elephants to win, coming in at 1.14, so we are going for 'Both sides to score – No' at a more reasonable 1.48.
- Curacao's main goal threat is Liviano Comenencia, who got off the mark in Group E on matchday one, but they will struggle to trouble a solid-looking Ivory Coast defense.
- Amad Diallo leads the line for Ivory Coast with the 22-year-old also getting off the mark in Group E, while Wilfried Singo brings a bit of creativity to the side with an assist already under his belt.
