The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations will be jointly hosted by underdogs Equatorial Guinea and the slightly more fancied Gabon. It would be a huge shock if either went all the way to the final, but qualifying has already thrown up plenty of surprises. Established footballing countries such as Cameroon, Nigeria, South Africa and three time winners on the trot Egypt have all failed to qualify for this year’s tournament. The field, thanks to those surprises, seems a little obvious in terms of outright African Cup of Nations betting, but after such an exciting qualification period perhaps the favourites Ivory Coast and Ghana will be found wanting by the upstarts of African football.

Ross’ Verdict

Senegal to win @ 13/2 - BET NOW

I feel the value this year is with Senegal, thanks to the fact that if they win their group they will likely avoid Ivory Coast until the final. Ghana are too short in the betting in my opinion and have a lesser squad to boot. With a potent strike force and a strong defence they have the tools to go all the way; my only concern is their goalkeepers, who can best be described as 'erratic'.

Senegal have a very impressive front-line in Demba Ba, Moussa Sow and Papiss Cisse who are all but guaranteed to score for fun, especially in group A, which includes the lowly Libya, Zambia and Equatorial Guinea. The Teranga Lions will be looking to win the Africa Cup of Nations for the very first time and coach Amara Traore will be looking to build on the impressive run of four wins in each of their last four matches.

The Other Contenders

Ivory Coast @ 13/8 - BET NOW

Manager Francois Zahoui has led the Elephants to eight wins in their last ten games, and it is with good reason they have been made favourites for this year’s crown. A strong, balanced squad featuring the likes of Yaya Toure, Didier Drogba and Gervinho makes them very tempting at the best price of 13/8. However, despite this being a golden age for Ivorian football, this talented generation of players have yet to yield results, failing to win any gold, making them underachievers, and arguably, chokers.

Ghana @ 9/2 - BET NOW

Having been dramatically knocked out at the quarter final stage in the 2010 World Cup, Ghana have proven quality and they have a decidedly good chance of victory this year. However, they will have to do it the hard way as they have been drawn in arguably the toughest group. Mali and Guinea will offer genuine tests to the Black Stars and as well as missing star turn Michael Essien, chief goal getter Asamoah Gyan is struggling with his on-going tight hamstring.

Morocco @ 10/1 - BET NOW

Coach Eric Gerets has come out with fighting talk recently, stating how Morocco have arrived in order to win it. They do offer a threat to the two big guns, with the mercurial Adel Taarabt capable of lighting up this year's tournament, despite his poor Premiership form. They face fellow North Africans Tunisia in their group who offer the biggest threat, but a lot will depend on the goal getting of Arsenal misfit Marouane Chamakh, which could be their biggest downfall. Jokes aside, they arrive in Gabon in good form, having lost just once in their last six matches.