Note: While this edition of the Africa Cup of Nations is officially referred as Afcon 2021, due to the tournament’s postponement, for continuity, we might sometimes refer to it as Afcon 2022.
The heavyweights have the advantage in Cameroon, as Group D at the Africa Cup of Nations comes to a head on Wednesday.
Nigeria sit top of the pool with a maximum haul ahead of their finale with Guinea-Bissau.
Mohamed Salah is the man for Egypt to thank, meanwhile, with the Liverpool star springing the Pharaohs from Afcon jail last time out, with Sudan their final opponents.
*All kick off times are in Central Africa Time.
Group D: Egypt vs Sudan
Egypt come into their final Group D game against Sudan at the Africa Cup of Nations needing to step it up a gear or three if they are serious about challenging for the Afcon title.
Mohamed Salah scored the only goal on Saturday night as the Pharaohs squeaked past Guinea-Bissau.
And even that was fortunate to be enough, as Mama Balde’s brilliant equaliser in the 82nd minute was harshly chalked off after a completely unnecessary VAR intervention.
Either way, it was three points for the Egyptians and just the tonic after their opening round defeat to Nigeria.
They now face a side ranked 125 in the Fifa world standings as they bid to reach the last 16 without any more drama.
Such is the nature of the expanded, 24-nation competition that the Sudanese could still sneak into the knockouts if they can pull off an almighty shock.
Kick off at 21:00.
Group D: Guinea-Bissau vs Nigeria
Nigeria go into their final Group D fixture at the Africa Cup of Nations against Guinea-Bissau knowing they are already home and hosed in their knockout qualification bid.
Interim coach Augustine Eguavoen has piloted his men to two wins from two, with the massive confidence boost of victory against Mohamed Salah’s Egypt in the opening match backed up by a comfortable 3-1 success over Sudan.
The Super Eagles can afford to switch into cruise control, then, with a prized place in the Round of 16 already secured in Cameroon.
Their opponents will be fired up no end by the VAR decision which cost them a precious point against the Pharaohs on Saturday night, as Mama Balde’s outstanding goal was disallowed.
It puts them right on the back foot but does make the equation for qualification, most likely as a best third-placed finisher, simple: beat Nigeria.
Much easier said than done it may be, but few watching a disciplined performance on Saturday would write them off against a Nigeria side already thinking about the next stage.
Kick off at 21:00.
Africa Cup of Nations 2022: Latest Group D standings
Find all the latest standings, fixtures and results for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations here.
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Africa Cup of Nations predictions for 19 January
Prediction methodology explained: The expected win percentage is based off publicly available odds. For example, if a team’s odds are 2.30, the expected chance of winning is 43%. If the odds are 1.62 the expected chance of winning is 62% and so on. These are accurate at the time of writing but are subject to change. Where there is no value listed, the odds were not available at the time of writing. Other odds added here are taken from soccerstats247’s algorithm.