CAF Champions League 2023-24 Predictions & Betting tips
Join us at SportyTrader, where we unravel expert insights and provide accurate predictions as we journey into the heart of African club footballing excellence - the CAF Champions League 2023-24!
CAF Champions League 2023-24 presentation and predictions
The CAF Champions League, the crown jewel of African club football, is upon us, and SportyTrader will be covering the marquee event every step of the way through the 2023-24 campaign.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane. The CAF Champions League has an incredible history that dates back 60 years to 1964. Over the years, football clubs from across Africa have battled to be crowned the champions of the continent, but only a few have earned the prestigious title.
Teams like TP Mazembe, Wydad Casablanca, El Ahly Cairo, and Mamelodi Sundowns have all left an indelible mark on the competition, but the big question remains - who will emerge as the African powerhouse in 2023-24? Find out everything you need to know about Africa’s biggest club football competition below!
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CAF Champions League 2023-24 title prediction: who will win the 2023-2024 CAF Champions League?
Predicting the winner of the 2023-24 CAF Champions League is no easy task. Historically, teams from certain countries in Africa have fared better than others due to the financial discrepancies between one football federation and the next.
Al Ahly have been the most successful side in the competition since its inception. The Egyptian Premier League champions have lifted the coveted trophy on 11 occasions, including the 2022-23 season, when they beat Botola Pro 1 outfit Wydad AC 3-2 on aggregate in the final.
If you had followed our early season prediction of a double chance victory for Al Ahly or ES Tunis, you'd be guaranteed profit as both teams have made it to the final! From here, we like the defending champions Al Ahly to ultimately come out on top to yet again win back-to-back CAF Champions League titles. It would represent the fourth time the Egyptian giants have won two straight in this competition (2005 + 2006, 2012 + 2013, 2021 + 2022) and would be the 12th time they are crowned champions, more than doubling second-place Zamalek's total of five.
Al Ahly have been unbelievably dominant on the defensive side of the ball and have only allowed a single goal through the entirity of this competition so far (coming in matchday two of the group stage). They didn't let in a single goal in the knockout stages and would wind up outscoring their opponents by a combined 6-0. Our prediction for the CAF Champions League: Al Ahly to be crowned champions!
CAF Champions League 2023-24 prediction - odds on the favourites for the title
Odds on the CAF Champions League winner currently are not available. However, that is sure to change with the final right around the corner. In the meantime, head over to 1xBet to check out the other betting markets on offer!
What prediction for the top scorer in the CAF Champions League 2023-24?
Al-Ahly winger Hussein El Shahat is the current leading scorer ahead of the semi-finals with five goals in 10 appearances. Behind him there are six players tied with four goals each, however, only two of those players are still alive in the competition: Al-Ahly striker Kahraba and Mazembe winger Cheick Fofana.
A case can be made that Kahraba will overtake his teammate and finish the campaign as the CAF Champions League golden boot winner. Despite his compatriot El Shahat having a one-goal lead, the 31-year-old recently had facial surgery after sustaining an injury which has caused him to miss the team's last two matches. El Shahat had the procedure done on 6 April and was only just named to the bench in the team's second leg 3-0 semi-final win over Mazembe, although he wouldn't see any minutes. With there being roughly three weeks until the final, El Shahat should be able to line up for his team in the final which gives him a good shot at protecting his one-goal lead in the current scorers table.
CAF Champions League 2023-24 top scorer odds
At the moment, the odds for the CAF Champions League top scorer are not available. In the meantime, we recommend checking out Bet365 to see the other betting markets that are available.
CAF Champions League 2023-24 semi-final results
There were a number of closely-contested ties in the CAF Champions League semi-finals. The defending champions were able to progress thanks to a dominant 3-0 victory in the return leg in front of their home fans in Cairo. ES Tunis, meanwhile, were able to upset the odds and knock off the favored Mamelodi Sundowns, thus reaching the final for the first time since they last lifted the trophy in 2019. They would triumph thanks to 1-0 wins in both legs, with Yan Sasse and Raed Bouchniba the goalscorers. Below you can find the results for each semi-final tie, including the aggregate score:
- Al Ahly vs TP Mazembe: 3-0 aggregate
- ES Tunis vs Mamelodi Sundowns: 2-0 aggregate
So the final is set with the Egyptian side and record CAF Champions League winners Al Ahly taking on the four-time champions from Tunisia in ES Tunis. Who do you think will come out on top and be crowned champions of Africa? Don't hesitate to get your bets in on a number of sites that offer great odds and bonuses! See what's on offer on sites such as Bet365, Unibet and William Hill!
Our prediction for the CAF Champions League 2023-24 groups
While choosing the winner of matches gets much harder the closer we get to the final, the group stages are somewhat easier to predict, and that means punters can maximise their returns on their wagers if they are following a potential group winner from early on in the competition. Here are some of the predictions from SportyTrader’s African football pundits.
Group A | Mamelodi Sundown - TP Mazembe - Nouadhibou - Pyramids
Arguably one of the most wide-open groups, Group A promises to be a fierce battle for supremacy. Mamelodi Sundowns, hailing from South Africa, enter the fray as a team to watch. The PSL Champions currently lead the group standings and reached the final four of this competition last season. TP Mazembe, the seasoned Congolese giants, brings a legacy of CAF Champions League triumphs to the table as the side with the second-most titles in the history of the competition.
Nouadhibou and Pyramids round out the group, with the latter making their first appearance in this competition. The Egyptian Premier League side were runners-up in the CAF Confederation Cup last season and will be hoping for the same type of success this term in the premier African club tournament.
Our prediction for Group A: Mamelodi Sundowns and TP Mazembe to qualify
Group B | ASEC - Jwanehng Galaxy - Simba - Wydad AC
Ivorian club ASEC Abidjan are renowned for their technical prowess and attacking flair, have already shown their ability in this year’s competition. They lead the group on goal difference from Botswana’s representatives, Jwaneng Galaxy, and these two look set to battle for the top spots.
However, last year's runners-up, Wydad AC, cannot be counted out just yet despite failing to win their first two matches. Morocco's footballing giant is no stranger to CAF Champions League's pressures and expectations, having won the tournament on three occasions in the past. Simba have made a positive start to the competition as well and are well capable of pulling off an upset or two.
Our prediction for Group B: ASEC and Jwanegng Galaxy to qualify. However, keep a close eye on Wydad AC, who could manage a few against-the-odds victories before this group is done and dusted.
Group C | Petro de Luanda - Al-Hilal - ES Tunis - ES Sahel
Petro de Luanda, representing Angola, enters the group as a team eager to make an impact on the continental stage. They have never won the competition in the past but are the only side in the competition that have a 100% win record after the first two matches.
However, the undoubted favourites to qualify for the knockout rounds of the competition from this group has to be the Tunisian juggernauts ES Tunis. They have lifted this trophy four times, including back-to-back in 2017-18 and 2018-19. ES Tunis are joint-second with Al-Hilal in the standings and have a battle on their hands if they intend to keep their excellent record in this competition going.
Our prediction for Group C: Petro de Luanda and ES Tunis to qualify.
Group D | Al Ahly - CR Belouizdad - Medeama - Young Africans
The Egyptian giants and record-holders of CAF Champions League titles, Al Ahly, are considered one of the best club sides across the entire African continent and it comes as little surprise that they are expected to go deep in this year’s competition as well.. They have won this competition an incredible 11 times already and are well on their way this campaign, currently leading Group D.
CR Belouizdad and Medeama are expected to contest for the second qualifying spot in the group, while Young Africans may struggle to compete with the class of opposition they are faced with here.
Our prediction for Group D: Al Ahly and CR Belouizdad to qualify.
Beginners Guide to how the CAF Champions League 2023-24 works
The CAF Champions League is structured to determine the best club team in Africa through a series of knockout rounds and group-stage matches.
CAF Champions League format:
- Qualification : This is where it all begins. Teams qualify for the CAF Champions League based on their performance in their respective domestic leagues. The greater an association's ranking, determined by the specified criteria, results in a higher number of teams representing the association in the Champions League and reduces the number of qualification rounds its teams are required to participate in.
- Preliminary Round : Before the actual group stage of the competition, there is a preliminary round where teams play knockout ties, and the winners advance. This is a two-stage round, with the second stage featuring 32 teams going head-to-head, and only the 16 winners are allowed to advance to the main draw.
- Group Stage : The 16 qualified teams are divided into four groups containing four teams each. In the group stage, each team plays home and away matches against the other teams in their group. Points are awarded for wins and draws, and the top two teams from each group advance to the knockout stages. The draw for the group stage was held on October 6, 2023. Teams were seeded according to their performances in the CAF competitions for the last five seasons.
- Knockout Stages : This stage commences once the top two teams in each group have been determined after playing against every other side in the group twice. The knockout stages consist of the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the grand final. Teams compete in two-legged ties, playing one match at home and one away. The team with the higher aggregate score over the two legs advances to the next round.
- Final : The two best club sides in Africa rise to the top to compete in the Grand Final. The final is also a two-legged encounter held at a neutral venue, and the winner is crowned the CAF Champions League champion.
How to make good predictions on CAF Champions League 2023-24 matches?
While there is no guaranteed method to predict the winners of every match in the CAF Champions League 2023-24, SportyTrader provides you with a few crucial tips that can give you a competitive edge over the bookmakers.
Here are some of our top tips for making better betting decisions for the CAF Champions League:
- Team Form and Performance
- Key Player Analysis
- Historical Head-to-Head Records
- Home and Away Performance
- Make use of Reliable Data
Tip 1: Team Form and Performance
Consistency in performance is a key indicator of a team's current strength and ability to compete at a high level. Take the time to analyse the recent performance of teams in their domestic leagues and previous CAF Champions League matches. A team in good form is likely to maintain its positive momentum.
Example: If a specific has won its last five matches in the domestic league and Champions League, that suggests a high level of confidence and form, which is often a crucial factor in determining the expected performance of the side in their next match.
Tip 2: Key Player Analysis
Star players often contribute significantly to a team's success, and their form and influence on the pitch should never be overlooked. Teams that have players ranked among the top for goals scored, assists provided, and clean sheets maintained are excellent ways of determining how the side will fare in their next match. The impact of key players often extends beyond statistics and can greatly affect match outcomes.
Example: If a team’s top scorer has been involved in a high percentage of their goals and currently ranks among the top performers in their role, that player's performance could be a key predictor not just to the outcome of the match but also in terms of individual accolades.
Tip 3: Historical Head-to-Head Records
Arguably the most important of all the tips listed here - analysing past matchups between teams can reveal patterns, strengths, and weaknesses that may persist in future encounters. Due to the country rankings, sides from lower-ranking associations may be dominant in their domestic league but could struggle when facing teams with greater financial means, such as Al Ahly or Mamelodi Sundowns. If there are no head-to-head records between the sides you are looking at, search for teams that they have faced from the same country for a better understanding of their chances in the contest.
Example: If Wydad AC have never faced Al Ahly in a previous meeting, consider searching for their performances against Pyramids, who are another Egyptian side in the competition. Pyramids finished behind Al Ahli last season, and if Wydad have struggled against Pyramids, they are likely to find it difficult against Al Ahli as well.
Tip 4: Home and Away Performance
One of the more common but still effective strategies is to consider the team’s performances at home compared to on the road. Indeed, home-field advantage is a well-known factor in football, and teams' performances in familiar versus unfamiliar environments can differ, usually with home performances being stronger. This is due to a number of factors, but the most obvious is due to their home support and familiarity with the conditions.
Example: If TP Mazembe has an impressive home record with strong fan support, they might have a higher chance of success when playing at home.
Tip 5: Make use of Reliable Data
With the world’s attention likely to be focused on the CAF Champions League, there is a plethora of information available to fans and punters alike. However, it is crucial that you only use reliable sources to guide your betting decisions. SportyTrader is one such source, as our experts take into account all of the points above as well as factors such as injury and suspension updates, the team’s tactical approaches, and even venue and weather conditions in our predictions.
Wherever possible, try using more than one source to maximise your chances of picking a winner!
What not to do for your CAF Champions League 2022-23 predictions
Now that you know what to do before making your betting predictions for the CAF Champions League, it is worth covering the most common pitfalls that you should avoid at all costs:
- Never rely solely on team reputation
- Don't disregard squad rotation strategies
- Don't ignore external distractions such as off-field issues
- Avoid basing predictions solely on fan expectation
- Account for the team’s travel time and potential fixture congestion
- Never chase losses from a previous match in the next match
- Avoid accumulators and parlays with a high number of legs
Making successful predictions in the CAF Champions League 2023-24 requires a nuanced approach, considering a multitude of factors while avoiding common pitfalls. The key is to embrace a holistic view, acknowledging the fluid nature of football dynamics and refraining from exclusive reliance on a single criteria.
CAF Champions League 2023-24 prediction: statistics you need to know
Making use of statistics is vital to finding winning bets. To help with your betting decisions, here are a few key facts and stats from last season’s CAF Champions League competition.
- In his first season leading Al Ahly, Swiss tactician Marcel Koller clinched the CAF Champions League title
- Uganda's Vipers scored the fewest goals in the competition, managing only one throughout the tournament
- CR Belouizdad boasted the most robust defense in the group stage, conceding merely two goals in six matches
- Wydad Athletic conceded its third defeat in a CAF Champions League final
- Al Ahly secured three trophies in the last four editions of the competition
- Raja Club Athletic notched up the most victories in the group stages, securing five wins
- Cameroon’s Cotonsport endured six defeats in the group stage, the most in the tournament. They were the sole team to lose all their group matches
- Mahmoud Kahraba and Peter Shalulile both notched six goals, sharing the top-scorer spot
- The most goals in a single group stage match totaled seven, with Simba beating Horoya 7-0, Sundowns overcoming champions Ahly 5-2, and Zamalek securing a 4-3 victory against El Merrikh
- Eight red cards were issued during the tournament
- A total of 11 away wins were recorded from the group stage to the final
- Al Ahly holds a record of 16 Champions League finals, with 11 victories and five losses
- Egyptian clubs have collectively won 17 Champions League trophies, with Ahly securing 11, Zamalek claiming five, and Ismaily SC winning once in 1969
- Al Ahly were the highest-scoring team in the competition, with 23 goals in 12 matches
- Matchday four of the group stage witnessed the highest goal tally in the tournament, with 24 goals recorded
- Matchday six closely followed with 23 goals, while matchdays one and two had the fewest goals, each with 13.
- A total of 136 goals were scored from the group stage to the final of the Champions League in 62 matches, averaging 2.19 goals per match.
- 108 goals were scored in the group stages
- Only 28 games in the competition (45%) ended with over 2.5 goals scored in regulation time
- Just 13 matches (21%) ended in draws
- The most common scoreline in the competition was 1-0, with 19 games (30%) ending with a single goal scored
African football is like no other in the world as there is much less of a gulf in class between most sides, barring those ranked 1st - 3rd according to the African Association ranking. As a result, matches between sides in the CAF Champions League tend to be much more level than you would likely see in Europe, Asia or in South America.
The Under 2.5 market is often a strong betting option, but be wary of the teams that are playing, as some of them are good at attacking, especially at home. Home wins are common in the CAF Champions League, and you are likely to find the home side holding the favourites position on most bookmakers.
In short: how to make the right CAF Champions League 2023-24 predictions?
To make accurate CAF Champions League predictions, consider recent team form, analyse key player performances, and review historical head-to-head records. Assessing home and away dynamics and staying updated on injuries and suspensions are also crucial in making winning predictions.
Avoid relying solely on team reputation, overlooking recent form, and underestimating underdog teams. A comprehensive analysis combining all these factors enhances the likelihood of landing a winner!
And, of course, be sure to make use of SportyTrader’s free predictions to give you a competitive edge over the bookies. Let’s hit them hard for this year’s CAF Champions League 2023-24!
Our CAF Champions League Predictions of the moment
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Best Odds to bet on CAF Champions League 2023-24
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CAF Champions League 2023-24 : Frequently Asked Questions
The CAF Champions League is an annual continental club football competition organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). It features the top football clubs from across Africa competing for the title of the best club team on the continent.
Al Ahli is the record CAF Champions League winner with 11 titles under their belt. TP Mazembe and Zamalek have won the competition five times each, and ES Tunis have claimed the trophy three times.
CAF Champions League matches are broadcast on various sports networks and streaming platforms. In most countries across Africa, the tournament can be viewed on DSTV or DSTV Now.
If you cannot watch the matches on TV, SportyTrader will be covering every match of the CAF Champions League 2023-24 on our CAF Champions League Livescore page.