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

Fresh off the back of Friday's first-leg victory, Tunisia welcome Mali to the Stade Olympique de rades for the second of their two-legged World Cup qualification playoff tie on Tuesday.

The Eagles, on the other hand, have now lost each of their most recent two games across all competitions, failing to find the target in that time, and will be desperate to end this dry spell and overturn their deficit.

Match preview

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Tunisia took a huge step towards securing their place in the World Cup when they claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Mali in Friday's first-leg encounter.

Standard Liege defender Moussa Sissako scored a 36th-minute own goal and received a straight red four minutes later as the Carthage Eagles stood firm to claim a vital first-leg advantage.

This followed a quarter-final exit from the Africa Cup of Nations on January 29, when they were beaten 1-0 by Burkina Faso courtesy of Dango Ouattara's first-half strike.

Buoyed by Friday's victory, Tunisia will feel confident of completing the job as they return to home soil where they are currently on a four-game winning streak, scoring 10 goals and conceding one since a 2-0 friendly defeat against Algeria back in June 2021.

The 2004 Africa Cup of Nations winners, who are currently 36th in the latest FIFA World Rankings, will be seeking to equal Nigeria's record for the second-most World Cup appearances by an African nation with six.

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Meanwhile, Friday's defeat saw Mali, who are seeking their first-ever appearance at the World Cup, suffer a huge blow in their pursuit of a place in Qatar.

The Eagles had enjoyed a sensational run in the group stages of the qualifiers where they went unbeaten, claiming five wins and one draw to finish top of Group E with a seven-point cushion over second-placed Uganda.

Mohamed Magassouba's men have now failed to win any of their most recent two outings after losing on penalties to Equatorial Guinea in the round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations back in January.

While Mali will be looking to overturn their deficit and keep their World Cup hopes alive, they have struggled to get going away from home, picking up two wins from their last seven games since 2020.

Team News

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Mali will take to the pitch without the services of Sissako after the 21-year-old defender received his marching orders in Friday's reverse leg.

In his absence, Mamadou Fofana should come into the fold, forming the backline with Massadio Haidara, Boubakar Kouyate and Cheik Traore shielding skipper Ibrahim Mounkoro in goal.

Southampton midfielder Moussa Djenepo started off the bench last Friday and the 23-year-old could come into the XI, potentially at the expense of Nene Dorgeles, who is currently on loan at Reid from Leipzig.

Following Friday's victory, Jalel Kadri, who was named the new manager of Tunisia following the nation's quarter-final exit at the Africa Cup of Nations, got his stint in charge off to a winning note.

Manchester United youngster Hannibal Mejbri was an unused substitute last time out, and the 19-year-old could be handed his 12th senior cap on Tuesday.

Zamalek forward Seifeddine Jaziri, who is currently on a 12-game goal drought for club and county, could drop to the substitutes' bench with Taha Yassine Khenissi pushing for a starting role.

Tunisia possible starting lineup:
Mounkoro; Haidara, Kouyate, Fofana, Traore; Haidara, Doucoure, Bissouma, Djenepo; Diaby, Kone

Mali possible starting lineup:
Said; Maaloul, Talbi, Ghandri, Drager; Skhiri, Laidouni, Chaalali; Khenissi, Msakni, Sliti

We say: Tunisia 1-1 Mali

With a first-leg victory in the bag, Tunisia will be looking to complete the job and keep their World Cup dreams alive. While we expect Mali to come out guns blazing, we predict the Carthage Eagles will cancel out their efforts and hold out for a share of the spoils and win the tie on aggregate.

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