As we reach the latter stages of qualifying for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, there are several teams fighting for a place in the tournament.
One of those teams is Congo and on the 26th of March they play Senegal at the Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat, in Brazzaville, knowing a victory would send them through to the tournament.
Congo come into the game sitting second in Group I, 5 points adrift of Senegal who are top of the group. Congo will not be looking above them but instead will have their eyes on the team below, with Guinea-Bissau 4 points adrift in third place.
However, with two rounds of fixtures remaining in the group it is still possible for Guinea-Bissau to move above Congo in the table, especially as the teams meet in the final round of games.
Congo come into this match having lost on penalties in the quarter final of the African Nations Championship to Mali, following a 0-0 draw.
As the match ended level after 90 minutes and extra time, we can say Congo are undefeated in their last 4 games and have lost only one of their 6 matches in all competitions.
Congo have proven difficult to beat at home in recent games and they have enjoyed good recent wins over Eswatini and Guinea-Bissau in this group.
Senegal have already sealed their place at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. They sit top of the group on 12 points having won each of their 4 matches.
Senegal have scored an average of just over 2 goals per games in the group and they have been impressive in defence, conceding just a single goal in 4 games. The goal they conceded came away from home against Eswatini when Senegal were already 3-0 up.
In terms of Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, Senegal have a tremendous away record. The Lions of Teranga are undefeated in each of their last 9 away qualifying games, winning 8 of those matches.
Senegal may have scored just a single goal in 3 of their last 4 away Africa Cup of Nations qualifying games but they have kept a clean sheet in each of those 3 matches, meaning they won 1-0.
Looking ahead to the team news and Congo will be looking to striker Thievy Bifouma to score the goals for the hosts. Dimitri Bissiki provides experience in defence and there is plenty of youth in midfield.
Senegal have named a strong squad including Cheikhou Kouyaté, Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gueye, Ismaïla Sarr, Sadio Mané, and Keita Baldé.
Congo have everything to play for in this match and should give Senegal a good game on home soil. However, Senegal have been impressive away from home in recent Africa Cup of Nations qualifying games and could come away with a narrow 1-0 win.