Ivory Coast vs Norway Betting Tips 2026

Form: Two Very Different Runs

Ivory Coast come into this Round of 32 clash with genuine momentum behind them. Three wins from their last five, including a 2-1 friendly result against France and a composed 2-0 group stage win over Curaçao to close out the group, suggests a squad that knows how to handle tournament football. Yes, they lost 1-2 to Germany in the middle of the group stage, but they responded immediately with the win over Curaçao. That’s a sign of character, not fragility.

Norway’s path here is more complicated. They beat Iraq 4-1 and Senegal 3-2, which looks decent on paper, but their final group game told a different story. A 1-4 hammering from France, with Dembele scoring a quick-fire treble, was a brutal end to the group stage. Reports suggest it was something of a rotated Norway side with an eye on the knockouts, but a 1-4 defeat still dents confidence, however you dress it up. Getting thumped four days before a knockout game is never ideal preparation, and the mental reset needed is significant.

Team News

Both squads head into Tuesday’s fixture with no confirmed injury concerns, which means both sides should be able to name their strongest available lineup.

For Ivory Coast, that means Sébastien Haller’s absence from the squad is already baked in, but there’s still serious attacking talent available across the front line. Simon Adingra, Oumar Diakité, and Edon Guessand give the Elephants options out wide and through the middle. Franck Kessié provides the engine in midfield, while Odilon Kossounou and Willy Singo are dependable in defence.

Norway’s key name is obvious: Erling Haaland leads the attack and will be the focal point against whatever Ivory Coast set up defensively. Martin Ødegaard pulls the strings behind him, and Alexander Sørloth gives them a strong alternative striker option if needed. The squad depth is real, even if the morale question lingers after the France loss.

Goals Markets

Both these sides know how to score. Ivory Coast have put eight past opponents across their last five matches, conceding just three. Norway have bagged twelve but let in nine, which tells you they’re often involved in open, free-flowing games. Given that attacking quality on both sides, Over 2.5 Goals at 1.85 looks like a market with genuine edge. The Under at 1.95 is barely any bigger in price, which makes the Over the cleaner call when the underlying form points squarely to goals.

The Betting Angle

The odds have Norway as clear favourites at 2.1, with Ivory Coast priced at 4. That’s a gap that feels slightly off to me. The Poisson model actually puts Ivory Coast or Draw as the most likely double chance outcome, with Norway’s win probability sitting at just 10% based on expected goals. The market hasn’t fully priced in the momentum difference or the psychological dent from that France defeat.

Ivory Coast have beaten France in a friendly this year. They’ve won three of their last five. They are not a 4.00 team walking into this fixture, and Norway at 2.1 looks a touch short given their defensive frailty and the confidence question hanging over them from Tuesday’s group closer.

If you want to back a specific outcome rather than a double chance, the Draw at 3.65 is interesting given how tight and cautious knockout football tends to be when the stakes are this high. But for sheer value, Ivory Coast at 4.00 is where the eye is drawn. For a side-market option, Erling Haaland at 3.75 to score first is the obvious name if Norway do get off to a bright start, given he’s the most dangerous player on the pitch regardless of form. Amad Diallo at 10.00 is a much bigger price for an Ivory Coast first goalscorer if you’re looking for a punt with a return.