With the delayed 'AFCON 2021' just around the corner, we asked WhoScored.com to assess the big hitters and pick out the value in the outright winner market.
With the delayed 'AFCON 2021' just around the corner, we asked WhoScored.com to assess the big hitters and pick out the value in the outright winner market as 24 teams tussle for the title in Cameroon.
It's fair to say that the head of betting is dominated by familiar names, with very little to choose between the chasing pack but two breakaway favourites with the bookmakers.
THE FAVOURITES
Senegal lead the way and are shortening ahead of kick-off, now a best price of 4/1 at the time of writing despite never having won the tournament. They achieved their best finish last time out in Egypt in 2019 as beaten finalists, with Algeria lifting the trophy and the second favourites to retain their crown (5/1).
Sadio Mane and Riyad Mahrez are the star men for the respective sides, with the former often operating in a central position, such is his importance to the team. He helps form a spine to the team that will certainly take some beating, with Edouard Mendy protected by Kalidou Koulibaly and PSG's Abdou Diallo, with teammate Idrissa Gueye shielding an impressive defence.
As for Algeria, Mahrez is one of four players in the squad with 20+ international goals, so they certainly have the firepower to become the first team to defend their title since Egypt in 2010. They have a strong defence, two attacking full-backs and a midfielder in Ismael Bennacer capable of breaking the lines.
As such, the pair are probably worthy of their status as the top two in the betting, but the best value arguably lies elsewhere...
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THE CHASING PACK
There are as many as seven teams priced between the 7/1 and 12/1 bracket with a number of bookmakers, headed by an Ivory Coast side that does possess plenty of firepower. That much is highlighted by the fact that at least one of Wilf Zaha, Maxwel Cornet and Nicolas Pepe is likely to sit out in support of Champions League top scorer Sebastien Haller.
The Elephants issue lies at the opposite end, with first choice keeper Sylvain Gbohouo suspended ahead of the tournament and first choice centre-backs Eric Bailly and Willy Boly barely featuring this season.
Egypt are as short as 6/1 third favourites with one bookie as it stands and 9/1 in places, with Mo Salah undeniably central to their chances of success. He's not only the best player at the tournament but arguably the best in the world right now, with 23 goals and nine assists already this season. The support cast, however, is levels below some of the competition.
Hosts Cameroon have been cut to a relatively short price given their home advantage but have regressed since their title winning 2017 campaign, though a favourable group should set them on their way. Elsewhere Nigeria and Ghana are slightly further down the betting, with the chances of the former damaged by the absence of star striker Victor Osimhen.
The value in that congested pack perhaps instead comes from a Morocco side on a sensational run. The omission of Hakim Ziyech owing to a dispute with coach Vahid Halihodzic made the headlines but the Chelsea star didn't feature in a faultless round of World Cup qualifying at the end of last season, winning all six matches and conceding just once.
Indeed, while fans might usually side with a star player rather than a coach, none would argue with Halihodzic's impact on The Atlas Lions. After a slow start upon his appointment in 2019, Morocco have been almost faultless since 2020 under his stewardship, winning 12 of a 14 match unbeaten run in that time, including ten clean sheets. Their's is the best defence at the tournament by a distance and with quality in the attacking third too, a best price of 10/1 might just be the best value on the market.
DARK HORSES
Shortening all the time ahead of the big kick-off, Mali are still a best price of 25/1 with one bookie at the time of writing, and if Morocco boast the continent's best defence, Mali certainly have a strong claim for the best midfield. It's one that's been boosted by the return to the national team of Brighton's Yves Bissouma, who joins RB Leipzig's Amadou Haidara and Salzburg's Mohamed Camara in the middle ground.
23-year-old striker Mohamed Bayo is on the radar of club's around Europe with nine Ligue 1 goals this season too, so they could go deep into the tournament. They certainly head into it in strong shape, dropping just two of 18 possible points in World Cup qualifying without conceding a single goal.
Elsewhere there may be some interest in Guinea at 40s with most, with Naby Keita the star of another impressive midfield but they approach their opener in pretty dismal form. Indeed, it would take some turnaround to go the distance having failed to win a single World Cup qualifier last year, so keep your money firmly in your pockets as far as Guinea are concerned.
It's difficult to disagree with Senegal's status as favourites, but if you're looking for better value, tuck into the M&Ms with Morocco and Mali this month!
