Preview: Tunisia vs. Mali - prediction, team news, lineups

Following a first home defeat in two years last time out, Tunisia prepare for the visit of Mali on Tuesday looking to bounce back.

Meanwhile, the visitors are still licking the wounds from their last outing, where they were denied all three points in the final knockings.

Match preview

© Reuters

Mali's struggles on the road continued as they were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo at the Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi on Friday.

Kalifa Coulibaly gave Mohamed Magassouba's men a fourth-minute lead that was wiped out by Ben Malango with four minutes of normal time left to play.

Les Aigles have failed to win any of their last three matches away from home since defeating Zimbabwe back in January.

In that time, Tuesday's visitors have found the back of the net on only one occasion, which is an area that needs improvement if they are to turn their fortunes around.

Tunisia were defeated 2-0 by fellow North African outfit Algeria on Friday when the sides clashed at the Stade Olympique de Rades.

First-half goals from Baghdad Bounedjah and Riyad Mahrez condemned Mondher Kebaier's men to their first loss on home turf since 2019, when they were beaten by Ivory Coast.

Tuesday's hosts were on a five-game home winning run prior to that, but they will now have to pick themselves up from a disappointing result.

Next up for the Eagles of Carthage is a clash against a Mali side who they failed to defeat in any of the last three meetings between the teams.

The most recent of those encounters was a 1-1 stalemate in the group stages of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Team News

Hannibal Mejbri recently made his Tunisia debut, and he could be recalled back into the side after playing no part in the defeat to Algeria.

There could also be recalls for Youssef Msakni and Wajdi Kechrida as Kebaier is expected to shuffle the pack for this one.

Kalifa Coulibaly's opener against DR Congo was the visitors' first goal in three matches since putting two past Namibia in November 2020.

That was also Coulibaly's second strike on the international stage and a first for the Nantes forward in just over four years.

Tunisia possible starting lineup:
Hassen; Abdi, Meriah, Talbi, Kechrida; Mejbri, Sassi, Romdhane; Sliti, Khazri, Slimane

Mali possible starting lineup:
Diarra; Bagayoko, Camara, Samake, Sacko; Dieng, Samassekou, Traore; Djenepo, Simpara, Diallo

We say: Tunisia 2-0 Mali

Tunisia are renowned for their ability to get the job done when playing in front of their home crowd, and we are backing them to emerge victorious in this one.