South Africa take on Benin in a World Cup Qualifier at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday and we take a look at the game from a betting angle.
These sides play in Group C where they are joined by Nigeria, Rwanda, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe and 3 points for South Africa in this opening game is an absolute must.
SOUTH AFRICA
Bafana Bafana have played a few friendly internationals over the last couple of months and they drew 1-1 with the Ivory Coast and 0-0 at home against Eswatini. They also beat the DR Congo 1-0 at home back in September.
BENIN
Benin’s last action was away at Madagascar where they lost 2-1, a game where they started marginal favourites. They drew 1-1 at home with Sierra Leone in mid-October and in early September they lost 3-2 away to Mozambique. Both teams have found the back of the net in Benin’s last 3 matches.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
These sides haven’t met since the African Cup of Nations in 2004 when South Africa won 2-0.
Outright Betting
It is very early to be placing your money down on a long-term World Cup bet, but let’s have a look at the latest odds which sees France and Brazil disputing favouritism at 11/2. You can get 13/2 England and scanning for the two teams in action here, South Africa are 500/1 and Benin are not even quoted in the betting.
Click here for the latest Outright World Cup betting
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MATCH BETTING – Click here to bet
South Africa 5/8
Draw 29/10
Benin 9/2
Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos has some injury concerns ahead of this match with two of his Mamelodi Sundowns stars on the doubtful list. He is hoping to qualify Bafana Bafana for their first World Cup since they hosted it on home soil in 2010. He has performed well as South African coach to date guiding the side to January’s Africa Cup of Nations and he will be hoping to have as close as possible a fully fit squad to choose from.
There are quite a few options available to punters over and above the win and draw markets. Over 2.5 goals is priced at 15/10 and given Benin’s tendency to play in high scoring games I think that could be a bet to consider.
You can get 21/20 South Africa score over 1.5 goals and if you do fancy both teams to find the back of the net there is 29/20 on offer about that occurring. South Africa to win 2-0 is priced at 9/2 and the score I fancy 2-1 is priced at 7/1.
In the end I am going to side with over 2.5 goals hoping that my 2-1 score line arrives, alternately that Bafana Bafana run out comfortable winners.
Suggested Bet: Over 2.5 goals at 15/10
Click here for betting on all of the World Cup Qualifiers taking place this weekend
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
