Ivory Coast booked a place in the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time, setting up a clash against Norway in Dallas.
The Ivorians finished second in their group after defeating both Ecuador and Curacao, with a loss against Germany sandwiched in between.
Norway sealed qualification for the knockout phase with a game to spare, easing to a 4-1 win over Iraq before securing three points against Senegal in their second match.
Stale Solbakken made 10 changes to the team that faced France in the final group game and the Norwegians promptly suffered a 4-1 thrashing.
The winner of this tie will face either Brazil or Japan in the World Cup last 16.
Ivory Coast vs. Norway betting picks and predictions
Both teams to score (-150)
A total of 15 goals were scored across Norway's three group stage fixtures and both teams scored in all three games.
While goals weren't quite as frequent in matches involving the Ivory Coast, with only one of their three ties featuring both teams scoring, two of their previous four games before the tournament did see this bet land.
Both nations can call upon quality attacking talents such as Erling Haaland, Yan Diomande, Alexander Sorloth and Nicolas Pepe among others, who have the potential to cause problems in the final third.
As such, this match could be a high-octane affair which will likely see chances galore at both ends of the pitch.
Therefore, backing both teams to find the net could be a smart bet ahead of this intriguing matchup.
Erling Haaland to score anytime (-150)
Solbakken's decision to rest Haaland for the tie against France could turn out to be a wise move from the manager.
Norway were already through to the last 32 and it means the striker will be raring to go against the Elephants in Dallas.
The Manchester City attacker has shone during his two matches at the World Cup so far. Against Iraq, Haaland netted a quickfire brace in the first half to open up his account at the tournament.
He was back at It just a few days later against Senegal, scoring two goals in the space of 10 second-half minutes.
Although he didn't get the chance to add to that tally against Le Bleus, Haaland's four goals have him firmly in the race for the Golden Boot.
Ivory Coast have conceded only twice across their three games thus far, but with fresh legs expect Haaland to add to his tally with another goal or two in this last 32 clash.
Norway to win (+100)
While knockout stage matches tend to be tense, I think this clash can buck the trend given the quality of both teams.
Norway will return to full strength for this one, with Solbakken making 10 changes against France. Ivory Coast will enter the game having won against Curacao in their previous match.
The knockout stages is new territory for the African side, who have reached this stage for the first having suffered group-stage exits in 2006, 2010 and 2014.
For Norway, this is their third knockout stage match at the World Cup. The last one came in 1998 as the Norwegians suffered a 1-0 loss to Italy.
Prior to the defeat to France, Norway's last competitive loss came in October 2024 against Austria.
In that same period, Ivory Coast have lost five matches and, while both sides have quality, Norway appear to have the edge in this clash and Solbakken will be eager to take this golden generation of players as deep as possible into the tournament.
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Ivory Coast vs. Norway odds
Ivory Coast | +275 |
Tie | +250 |
Norway | +100 |
Ivory Coast vs. Norway player props
Anytime goalscorer
Erling Haaland (Norway) | -150 |
Alexander Sorloth (Norway) | +162 |
Antonio Nusa (Norway) | +300 |
Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast) | +260 |
Maritn Odegaard (Norway) | +500 |
Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast) | +333 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
