Prediction Côte d'Ivoire vs Burundi 2026 – Betting Tips for the CAF World Cup Qualifiers on 05/09/2025

Match overview

Abidjan will be buzzing on 05/09/2025 as Côte d'Ivoire hosts Burundi in a Group Stage clash of the CAF World Cup Qualifiers at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny. With a capacity crowd expected and the home side carrying momentum from a series of solid results, this fixture shapes up as a stern test for a Burundi side that has shown flashes of attacking intent but lacks consistency on the road. The stakes are immediate: both teams will be eager to stamp their authority early in Round 7 of qualification and set the tone for the remainder of the campaign.

Form and stats that matter

Côte d'Ivoire arrive with an eye-catching home record. The numbers underline an impressive balance between attack and defensive discipline: 11 goals scored at home while conceding none, six clean sheets and an average of over seven corners per match. Their recent string of results includes wins over Gambia and a narrow revenge over Burundi in March, plus a goalless draw with Canada that ended in a penalty shootout victory — an indication of a side that can grind out results even when the game is tight. Shots data tilts decisively in the Ivory Coast’s favour, with 88 total attempts and 36 on target across the sample, suggesting sustained territorial pressure and a tendency to create meaningful chances.

Burundi come in with a more uneven profile. Their last fixtures have produced mixed outcomes: a goalless draw with Mauritania, an emphatic 5-0 home win against Seychelles, and a narrow defeat to Côte d'Ivoire earlier in the year. Statistical trends show Burundi can find the net on their travels — four goals away — and their matches carry a decent over-2.5 frequency overall. However, defensive frailties on the road, combined with fewer shots and a lower conversion platform compared with the hosts, point to vulnerabilities that a well-organized home side can exploit.

Head-to-head history offers a clear psychological edge for the hosts: the most recent meeting in March ended 1-0 in favour of Côte d'Ivoire, reinforcing the pattern that these matches often produce tight scorelines rather than goal-fests. Both teams have players who have recently stood out; Badra Ali Sangaré earned plaudits for Côte d'Ivoire in their Canada friendly, while Jonathan Nahimana was Burundi’s top performer in their draw with Mauritania. Those individual performances can shape moments, but the overall picture leans toward a home team in control.

Prediction and betting suggestion

Given the balance of form, home defensive resilience, and superior attacking volume, the clearest market to target is the 1X2. Expect Côte d'Ivoire to secure a victory at home, most likely by a narrow margin. Betting suggestion (1X2): Côte d'Ivoire to win.