BETTING GUIDE: Burkina Faso vs Ethiopia, Match Preview, Team News and Betting Tips
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Reading Time: 5min | Sun. 12.10.25. | 09:32
Burkina Faso head into this match in impressive form, having built solid momentum over the course of the qualifiers.
Group A of the CAF 2026 World Cup qualifiers will see Burkina Faso host Ethiopia at the Stade du 4 Août in Ouagadougou.
The stakes are high for the hosts, who sit second in the standings and are battling for one of the four best second-placed spots that advance to the next round.
Ethiopia, on the other hand, have been mathematically eliminated but will look to finish strong.
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For Burkina Faso, this fixture is nothing short of vital.
They are locked in a tight race with several other second-placed teams, and only a win can keep their dream of a maiden World Cup appearance alive.
They come into the match fresh off a crucial 1-0 victory over Sierra Leone, which preserved their unbeaten run in the last six qualifiers.
Burkina Faso head into this match in impressive form, having built solid momentum over the course of the qualifiers.
In their last six World Cup qualifying fixtures, the Stallions have remained unbeaten, recording a sequence of D-W-W-W-D-W.
Their form across all competitions has also been encouraging, with four wins, one draw, and just one loss in their last six matches (W-L-W-W-D-W).
Defensively, they’ve been especially strong of late, keeping three consecutive clean sheets, including a dominant 6-0 victory over Djibouti and a resilient 0-0 draw against Egypt, the group leaders.
In contrast, Ethiopia will arrive in Ouagadougou buoyed by a narrow 1-0 win over Guinea-Bissau in their most recent outing, but their overall form has been inconsistent and underwhelming.
In the qualifiers, they’ve managed just two wins from nine games, with their last six yielding D-L-W-L-L-L.
Their performances across all competitions mirror this inconsistency, recording three wins and three losses in their last six (L-W-W-L-L-L).
Crucially, Ethiopia have struggled on the road - failing to win any of their last four away matches - and collecting just a single point during that stretch, highlighting the scale of the challenge they face against a motivated Burkina Faso side.
Burkina Faso will be without Issa Kabore, suspended after picking up a booking against Sierra Leone, which forcing a reshuffle in the defensive line.
Coach Brama Traore is expected to continue with his trusted 4-2-3-1 formation, looking to dominate midfield and exploit the wings with pace.
Burkina Faso’s attacking strength will once again revolve around a trio of influential forwards.
Bertrand Traore, while not on the scoresheet recently, continues to prove his value through creativity and leadership.
His assist for Zougrana’s match-winning goal against Sierra Leone underlined his ability to influence games in ways beyond scoring.
Alongside him, Dango Ouattara remains a dynamic threat, having already netted four times in the qualifiers.
His pace and intelligent movement make him a constant menace for defenders.
Leading the line is Lassina Traore, the team’s top scorer with five goals, and the player most likely to provide a clinical edge in front of goal.
Ethiopia, meanwhile, are still without their star attacker Abubeker Nassir, who has missed the last two international windows.
However, Bereket Desta Dana has stepped up admirably in his absence, matching Nassir’s goal tally and proving to be a vital outlet in attack.
The absence of Abdulkarim Worku, their leading assist provider, is another setback, forcing head coach Mesay Teferi into tactical improvisation.
With his preferred creative outlet unavailable, Teferi is expected to set up in a compact structure, leaning heavily on rapid transitions, defensive solidity, and exploiting set-piece opportunities.
Burkina Faso will look to seize control of the game from midfield, using their physical presence and technical superiority to dominate possession and stretch Ethiopia’s defence.
The flanks will be key, with both Ouattara and Bertrand Traore expected to overload wide areas and deliver dangerous balls into the box.
Additionally, their effectiveness from set-pieces could prove decisive, particularly against an Ethiopian side that has shown vulnerability in defence, conceding in three of their last four qualifiers.
For Ethiopia, success will depend on their ability to stay compact defensively and strike on the counter.
They must frustrate the hosts early and avoid conceding in the opening stages.
If they manage that, the pressure could begin to mount on the Stallions, who are under immense expectations to secure qualification.
However, Ethiopia’s poor away form - two draws and two losses on the road - makes their chances of holding out for long a significant challenge.
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History is firmly on the side of the hosts. In the reverse fixture, Burkina Faso ran out comfortable 3-0 winners, demonstrating the gulf in class.
Ethiopia have failed to win any of their last four meetings against the Stallions, with a record of three defeats and one draw. With home advantage and much more at stake, Burkina Faso will be confident in extending their dominance in this fixture.
Key Pointers
Burkina Faso are unbeaten in their last six matches in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers (W4, D2).
They have kept clean sheets in each of their last three qualifying matches, showing strong defensive form.
Ethiopia have failed to score in three of their four away games during this qualification campaign.
The reverse fixture ended 3-0 in favour of Burkina Faso, with only one team finding the net.
Ethiopia have fought well in parts of this qualification campaign, notching nine points - their best return since 2014 - but the gulf in quality, motivation, and form is evident ahead of this clash.
Burkina Faso are in solid form, highly motivated, and playing at home. Given the importance of goal difference in determining the top four runners-up, expect the hosts to come out aggressively and control proceedings from start to finish.
Final Prediction: Burkina Faso win
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