Mali vs Tunisia Preview: Team News & Prediction
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A battle between two group stage runners-up sees Mali take on Tunisia.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Matches will be televised across the Channel 4 network / USA – beIN Sports
How to watch online: UK – All 4 & Channel 4 Sport YouTube / USA – beIN Sports Connect & Fubo
Mali preview: Draw specialists sneak through
Three points proved to be enough for a second-place finish in Group A, which was claimed by Mali following three consecutive draws. The most important of those draws came against heavily-fancied Morocco in the second round of games, a massive result which wound up being decisive for Mali.
The final round of fixtures were frustrating from Mali’s perspective, as they were held to a goalless draw by Comoros. However, Morocco beating Zambia 0-3 ensured that the point gained by Mali guaranteed their passage through.
Tunisia preview: Holding their nerve
Tunisia knew that to finish in the top two, they simply had to avoid defeat in their final Group C encounter whilst hoping that Uganda didn’t pull off a stunning upset against Nigeria. As expected, Uganda were beaten and left Tunisia just needing to hold their nerve, which they did in a 1-1 draw vs Tanzania.
Finishing second-place meant that Tunisia managed to avoid any of the group winners in the round of 16 such as Egypt, Algeria or host nation Morocco to name just three. That shouldn’t be underestimated.
Mali team news: Haidara out through suspension
Mali continue to manage Yves Bissouma’s fitness through early substitutions but won’t have fellow midfielder Amadou Haidara available for selection as the Aston Villa man was red carded late on against Comoros after coming off the bench.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Diarra; Doucoure, Diaby, Camara, Gassama; Bissouma, Doumbia; Sangare, L. Coulibaly, Diarra; Sinayoko
Unavailable: Haidara (Suspended)
Questionable: Bissouma (Fitness)
Tunisia team news: Return to four at the back
Tunisia may well revert back to a flat four in defence with Mejbri and Skhiri protecting them in central midfield. Gharbi should keep his place in the starting line-up after scoring from the penalty spot against Tanzania.
Predicted XI (4-4-1-1): Dahmen; Valery, Bronn, Talbi, Abdi; Tounekti, Mejbri, Skhiri, Gharbi; Achouri; Mastouri
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Mali vs Tunisia prediction
As we transition fully into knockout football at this year’s AFCON, matches are likely to be played even more conservatively with one mistake enough to knock a side out of the tournament. Each of Mali’s three matches so far has seen under 2.5 goals, whilst the same can be said for Tunisia’s last game, which saw them tighten up significantly after giving up three goals vs Nigeria.
Tunisia boasts the superior firepower going forward compared to Mali, especially when considering what we saw from the latter in the group stage. That gives them the edge, but the shrewd move would be backing under 2.5 goals alongside a Tunisian win.
Mali vs Tunisia tip: Tunisia to win and under 2.5 goals
