On Thursday night, Mali host Guinea at the Stade 26 Mars in Group A of qualifying for the African Cup of Nations in 2021.
Mali’s recent general form has been inconsistent. However, a 2-0 win over Mauritania last time out in the African Nations Championships ended a three-game winless streak for the home side.
They have only lost once in their last six outings, though, so they have been relatively difficult to defeat. Their recent matches have been relatively low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in three of their last four outings.
Mali have a strong recent record in qualifying for the African Cup of Nations, as they are unbeaten in 13 qualifiers, having recorded ten wins. A key to their good results in qualifying of late has been defensive solidity, as they have kept clean sheets in four of their last five qualifiers, conceding just once.
Mali have also been very strong of late in qualifiers on home soil, as they are unbeaten in seven outings, having recorded six victories. The key to those good home results has been their free-scoring form, as the home side has scored at least two goals in nine of their last 11 qualifiers.
Guinea’s recent form has been poor, as the visitors have failed to win in open play in five games, suffering four defeats in the process.
However, the visitor's recent record in qualifying for the African Cup of Nations is a good one, as they are unbeaten in seven outings. Though they have drawn their last three qualifiers. Their recent matches in qualifying have been low-scoring, as the last five games have produced under 2.5 goals.
Guinea’s recent away record in qualifying has been inconsistent, but they have lost just once in their last seven games on their travels.
Forebet predicts that these two teams will cancel each other out and this game will finish in a low-scoring draw.