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South Korea vs Ivory Coast Betting Tips & Predictions - Tight Friendly Fixture Expected in England

Ryan Allan

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Last updated: Fri 27 Mar 2026 13:39

Ryan Allan 27 Mar 2026

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Both nations are in preparation for the upcoming FIFA World Cup
Under 2.5 Goals/Draw tipped to land at Stadium MK on Saturday
Watch South Korea vs Ivory Coast in an International friendly

Expired

Son Heung Min of South Korea (Getty Images)

South Korea vs Ivory Coast Predictions
Tight Contest Likely
South Korea and Ivory Coast Set For Second-Ever Encounter
South Korea Extend Winning Run
Ivory Coast Looking to Bounce Back From AFCON Disappointment
Predicted Lineups and Team News

South Korea vs Ivory Coast Predictions

Both nations have been in solid form, and a tight, evenly-balanced affair seems unlikely to see more than two goals scored.

I fancy a low-scoring share of the spoils in neutral Milton Keynes.

Tight Contest Likely

South Korea have seen under 2.5 goals in 6 of their last 8 matches
Ivory Coast have seen under 2.5 goals in their last 5 matches (friendly fixtures)

South Korea and Ivory Coast Set For Second-Ever Encounter

South Korea and the Ivory Coast have met on just one previous occasion. South Korea claimed a 2-0 friendly victory 16 years ago.

South Korea Extend Winning Run

South Korea arrive in England in solid form after a 1-0 win against Ghana last November, with Lee Tae-seok's first international goal sealing a third successive victory.

Before that win in Seoul, the Koreans claimed 2-0 victories against Paraguay and Bolivia. Son Heung-min scored his 53rd international goal in the win against the Bolivians.

Since the departure of former boss Jurgen Klinsmann two years ago, South Korea have enjoyed a superb run of form. Myung Bo Hong's side won 15 and lost only two of 23 previous internationals.

South Korea secured their place at the upcoming World Cup finals with ease, going unbeaten in 16 matches (W11, D5) across two qualifying rounds while topping both groups.

Defensive strength has been key to their improved form in the past couple of years. The Koreans kept clean sheets in five of their eight most recent fixtures. Six of those games finished with two or fewer goals scored.

Ivory Coast Looking to Bounce Back From AFCON Disappointment

Ivory Coast face their first fixture since a quarter-final exit at the Africa Cup of Nations in January. Unbeaten in their first four games at that competition, Emerse Fae's side bowed with a 3-2 defeat against Egypt.

Despite dominating the ball with over 70% possession, the Ivorians were left empty-handed as Mo Salah's second-half strike proved the difference maker at Stade Adrar in Morocco.

Like the Koreas, the Ivory Coast have been in solid form over the past six months. The Elephants won seven and lost only two of 12 previous international fixtures.

Fae's men came through World Cup qualifying with relative ease, finishing top of their group unbeaten in 10 matches (W8, D2) to book a fourth appearance at the finals and their first since 2014.

Predicted Lineups and Team News

South Korea (4-2-3-1) Jo Hyeon-woo; Seol Young-woo, Kim Min-jae, Kim Ju-sung, Lee Tae-seok; Paik Seung-ho, Hong Hyun-seok; Hwang Hee-chan, Lee Kang-in, Lee Jae-sung; Son Heung-min.

Head coach Hong Myung-bo named a 26-man squad for South Korea's upcoming friendlies against the Ivory Coast and Austria. LAFC forward Son Heung-min is poised to win his 141st cap this weekend.

Feyenoord midfielder Hwang In-beom misses out due to injury.

Ivory Coast (4-3-3) Yahia Fofana; Wilfried Singo, Odilon Kossounou, Evan Ndicka, Ghislain Konan; Ibrahim Sangare, Franck Kessie, Seko Fofana; Amad Diallo, Evann Guessand, Simon Adingra

Ivorian boss Emerse Fae has a 25-man squad available for Saturday's international friendly fixture. Experienced midfielder Franck Kessie is poised to win his 102nd cap at Stadium MK.

Yan Diomande was forced to withdraw from the initial squad selection due to a shoulder injury. Former Arsenal winger Nicholas Pepe has been called up to replace the RB Leipzig midfielder.

Verdict

South Korea v Ivory Coast

With little to choose between these nations, a tight and low-scoring encounter seems likely to develop at Stadium MK. I have my first stake on under 2.5 goals, while I also fancy a share of the spoils this weekend.

Under 2.5 Goals

Total Goals

@7/10 - 3 Units

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Draw

Full Time Result

@9/4 - 1 Unit

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1-1

Correct Score

@11/2 - 1 Unit

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