Curacao vs Ivory Coast betting tips & free bets

Curacao caused one of the big shocks of the tournament so far when they bounced back from a 7-1 defeat to Germany by holding Ecuador to a goalless draw. Can they now secure the win that would take them into the last 32, or will it be Ivory Coast who solidify their Group E runners-up spot? Read on for our Curacao vs Ivory Coast tips below, and find out how you can get £30 in free bets for the World Cup with bet365.

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Curacao vs Ivory Coast betting tips & predictions

Ivory Coast and Curacao meet in a decisive final group stage match at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Thursday, 25th June at 9:00pm UK time. With a place in the knockout rounds on the line for the African side, read on for our expert analysis and betting selections.

Ivory Coast to Win @ 1/7
Over 20.5 Shots For Ivory Coast @ 9/10
Half Time/Full Time: Draw/Ivory Coast @ 11/4

Elephants Poised to Secure Knockout Spot

Ivory Coast enter this final group game knowing that their fate is in their own hands. A point would be enough to advance, but they will be targeting all three against the tournament debutants. Despite a narrow 2-1 defeat to Germany last time out, Emerse Faé’s side showed their quality, with Franck Kessié finding the net.

Curaçao, meanwhile, are coming off a historic result. After being heavily beaten 7-1 by Germany in their opening fixture, they held Ecuador to a remarkable 0-0 draw. The result, however, relied more on fortune than defensive mastery. Ecuador generated 2.84 Expected Goals (xG) and registered a massive 27 attempts on goal, but somehow failed to score.

A similar one-sided affair is expected here, but Ivory Coast possess the attacking talent to convert their dominance into goals. Curaçao became the first debutant nation to concede seven goals in their opening game since 1954, and their defensive frailties are likely to be exposed again by a motivated Ivorian team.

Curacao vs Ivory Coast tip 1: Ivory Coast to Win @ 1/7

Curaçao to Face an Attacking Barrage

The tactical setup for this match seems clear. Curaçao, managed by Dick Advocaat, will almost certainly deploy a deep, defensive low block, aiming to frustrate their opponents and play for a counter-attack or a set-piece opportunity. This was the strategy against Ecuador, where they saw just 25% of the ball.

This approach invites immense pressure, which translates directly into a high volume of shots conceded. Against Ecuador, they faced 27 attempts. In their opening match against Germany, they allowed 26 shots. This establishes a clear pattern of their defence being unable to keep opponents at bay, regardless of the final scoreline.

Ivory Coast will be on the front foot from the start. This is only the second time in 2026 they have been such strong odds-on favourites to win a match. The last occasion was against Burkina Faso, a fixture where they managed 21 shots. Given the stakes and the clear mismatch in quality, they are expected to comfortably exceed that figure here.

Curacao vs Ivory Coast tip 2: Over 20.5 Shots For Ivory Coast @ 9/10

Patience Could Pay for Ivory Coast Backers

While Ivory Coast are strong favourites, a quick start is not guaranteed. Curaçao’s packed defence proved stubborn against Ecuador, who managed eight shots in the opening 45 minutes but couldn’t find a breakthrough. A similar scenario could unfold here, with Ivory Coast needing time to unlock a congested backline.

The real advantage for the Elephants may come in the second half. The impact of substitutes has been a significant theme throughout this tournament, and Ivory Coast’s bench is considerably stronger than Curaçao’s. Amad Diallo has already proven his worth as an impact player, scoring the winner against Ecuador after coming on.

As the Curaçao players begin to tire, Ivory Coast can introduce fresh attacking talent like Seko Fofana, Simon Adingra, and Nicolas Pepe. Their ability to bring on superior quality against fatigued legs gives them a significant edge as the match progresses, making a second-half breakthrough highly probable if the game remains level at the interval.

Curacao vs Ivory Coast tip 3: Half Time/Full Time: Draw/Ivory Coast @ 11/4