Mali are looking to advance to the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations while Mauritania are on course to exit the tournament. The two sides go toe to toe in their final group fixture and we will be previewing the showdown in this Mali vs Mauritania prediction article.
Our Top Mali vs Mauritania prediction
| Bookmaker | Mali vs Mauritania Prediction |
|---|---|
Mali would have been gutted not to have picked up back-to-back wins in the continental showpiece as they had to settle for a point. They are however the stronger side in Thursday's game and should be able to come out on top.
Mali vs Mauritania – Match Preview
Mali and Mauritania will face off on Thursday at the Stade Omnisport de Douala in the final game of Group F.
Mali vs Mauritania – Team Previews
Mali
Mali controversially beat Tunisia 1-0 in their opening game before being held to a 1-1 draw by Gambia in their second game.
In his first start since 2017, Yves Bissouma won a penalty for his country in the 79th minute which Ibrahima Kone converted. However, the Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder went on to give away a spot-kick 10 minutes later, ultimately denying his side all three points.
Mali sit second in the group with four points, level with Gambia at the top of the table and can confirm automatic qualification into the knockout stages should they avoid defeat on Thursday.
El Bilal Traore has served his one-game suspension after receiving a controversial red card in his side's opener against Tunisia and is expected to return to the side.
Moussa Djenepo has received back-to-back yellow cards and is expected to miss Thursday's game through suspension.
Predicted lineup; Ibrahim Mounkoro; Massadio Haidara, Boubakar Kouyate, Falaye Sacko, Hamari Traore; Diadie Samassekou, Yves Bissouma, Amadou Haidara; Adama Traore, Moussa Doumbia, Ibrahima Kone
Mauritania
Mauritania were beaten 1-0 by Gambia in their opening game before receiving a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of group favourites Tunisia in their last game.
They are one of four teams yet to score any goals in the tournament so far and have conceded five goals already, the second-most in the competition.
The Lions of Chinguetti sit bottom of the group F with no points or goals and must win on Thursday to retain any hope of advancement in the continental showpiece.
Ali Abeid came off just 14 minutes after kickoff last time out and may remain on the bench on Thursday as manager Didier Gomes da Rosa experiments with a back four as opposed to his routine five.
Oumar Camara should retain a spot in the starting XI after impressing in his one-hour spell on the pitch last time out.
Predicted lineup; Babacar Diop; Abdoulkader Thiam, Mohamed Yali, El Hassen Houbeibib, Souleymane Karamoko; Almike Moussa N'Diaye, Guessouma Fofana, Sidi Yacoub; Idrissa Thiam, Oumar Camara, Aboubakar Kamara
The Mali vs Mauritania odds are as follows:
*Odds from Bet9ja, correct as at the time of publishing
Mali vs Mauritania Head to head Stats
Matches Played: 31
Mali Won: 19
Draw: 8
Mauritania Won: 4
Mali have a far superior record in this matchup and are unbeaten in their last 11 meetings against Mauritania, winning 4-1 in their most recent meeting back in 2019.
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 years ago
