So far, the AFCON has proved difficult to predict, with top teams losing their opening games. One such team is the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia. Many Kenya football predictions count Tunisia among the potential winners of the tournament. However, they have a major mountain to climb as they take on Mali on Sunday night.
The game is set up to be a challenging one, as reflected by bookmaker odds. Nevertheless, if you want to make the best predictions, you’re on the right page. Read on as we analyze Tunisia vs Mali betting tips for Kenya sports fans.
Tunisia vs Mali Match Details
General
Details
- Date: 20/01/2024
- Time: 23:00h
- Stadium: Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium
- Where to watch: KBC Channel 1, Y254, KBC online platforms
- Ticket info: 1,300 Ksh to 3,900 Ksh
Tunisia Lineup
(Predicted)
- Ben Said, Bechir
- Kechrida, Wajdi
- Talbi, Montassar
- Meriah, Yassine
- Maaloul, Ali
- Skhiri, Ellyes
- Ben Slimane, Anis
- Ben Romdhane, Mohamed
- Msakni, Youssef
- Achouri, Elias
- Khenissi, Taha Yassine
Mali Lineup
(Predicted)
- Diarra, Djigui
- Traore, Hamari
- Kiki
- Niakate, Sikou
- Sacko, Falaye
- Doumbia, Kamory
- Haidara, Amadou
- Bissouma, Yves
- Dieng, Aliou
- Koita, Sekou
- Sinayoko, Lassine
Online Sports Bettings in Kenya for this Match
Tunisia vs Mali Head to Head Analysis
Going into the AFCON, Tunisia and Mali had equal form. Both teams had won three of their last four games and drew the other. However, while Mali began the continental tournament with a 2:0 win against South Africa, things didn’t work out well for Tunisia. They lost the opening match against Namibia — a much weaker side — by a lone goal.
So, considering their last five matches, Tunisia is at 67% form, with three wins, one draw, and a loss. On the other hand, Mali recorded 87% form, with four wins and one draw. Mali is currently topping the Group E table, while Tunisia sits in third position. Going into Match Day 2, the Tunisia vs Mali football prediction for Kenya bettors is that the team at home will come out to fight for a win.
Previous meetings between both teams show it has always been an equal match. The Sunday game is looking to be the same. Between 2019 and 2023, Tunisia has faced Mali five times. On each occasion, either team scored one goal or none at all.
The highest-scoring game was a 1:1 draw in 2019. Tunisia beat Mali by a lone goal in the 2021 and second 2022 fixture. Meanwhile, Mali won by a lone goal in their first 2022 fixture. The most recent match between the teams in March 2022 ended in a goalless draw.
Recent Statistics and Trends
The Eagles of Mali appear to be the better side, looking at recent match statistics, in terms of goal scoring. Led by coach Eric Chelle, the team has conceded seven goals in their last five matches. While it may represent a weak defense, the Malian attack has found the net 13 times during those five games.
In contrast, Tunisia isn’t recording high conversions in front of the goal. The team has only scored 6 in their last five matches, which is just about a goal on average. However, their strength may just be their defense, as they’ve kept a clean sheet in three out of the five. In each of the other two, they only conceded one goal.
As a result, the betting tips for Kenya bettors predict that the match will be pretty balanced. According to our analysis, there’s a 35% chance for either Tunisia or Mali to win after 90 minutes. That’s 70%, and the remaining 30% represents a draw. Hence, the difference between each team winning and a draw is only 5%.
Key Factors Influencing the Match
Our football predictions for the Tunisia vs Mali match highlight some key factors that will affect the results. We’ve discussed them below.
Defense prowess
Particularly, how well the Tunisian defense will show up on Sunday night can have a significant effect on the final scoreline. The Carthage Eagles are known to have one of the best backlines in African football, and they’ve proven it multiple times. That’s why they’ve only recorded two goals in their last five games.
In the previous match against Namibia, the lone goal came from a miscalculation by the defenders. They’ll likely be more alert when Tunisia vs Mali kicks off. If that’s the case, then the Malian attack will have to be more creative.
Mali doesn’t appear to have a defense as strong as Tunisia. But the Eagles have some serious talent up front — like Lassine Sinayoko, who found the net in the last match. It’s all the more reason why the Tunisian coach, Jalel Kadri, will ensure his four defenders are at the top of their game.
Opening match results
Before the AFCON kicked off, many Kenya football predictions picked Tunisia to top the group. But the opening loss was disappointing, and the team is now in a tight situation. If they have their eyes set on winning the group, they must triumph over Mali on Sunday night.
On the other hand, after their 2:0 win in the first match against Bafana Bafana, Mali will hit the pitch more confident than ever. The confidence will soar even higher if they picture playing against a side that fell short against Namibia. If they win, then it’s about 100% certain that they’ll top the group.
So, from our Tunisia vs Mali betting tips, Kenya bettors should anticipate complete dedication from both teams to win. The team at home will aim to regain their rhythm, while the team away will want to turn in another impressive result.
Injuries
There’s a major worry for Tunisia, with their striker, Taha Yassine Khenissi, out injured. The forward was withdrawn from the first match after just 15 minutes. During the short period he was on the pitch, he already made one goal attempt. One can’t completely rule out the possibility that the match would have ended differently for the Carthage Eagles if he didn’t have to be replaced.
After the game, reports weren’t favorable, as it appears Taha Yassine Khenissi is set to miss the rest of the tournament. Tunisia may have to rely on a substitute striker, which could affect their chances in front of goal. Meanwhile, the Eagles don’t have any significant injury concerns. That means when the Tunisia vs Mali match begins on Sunday, the away team will have the upper hand regarding squad fitness.
Expected Formations
Mali and Tunisia both field the 4-3-3 formation, which is quite popular in football. However, Mali goes with the 4-3-1-2 variant, with a player behind the two main strikers. Tunisia keeps things traditional, with all three forwards playing vertically.
Betting Tips
For our Kenyan bettors who want to bet on the AFCON game between Tunisia and Mali on Sunday, these are our football predictions to follow:
Betting Odds
As mentioned earlier, there’s an equal chance for Tunisia or Mali to win the match, and the odds reflect that. We checked top Kenya betting sites, and the average odds for Tunisia to win was 2.77. For a Mali win, it was 2.78, which is more or less the same. The draw option had 3.23 odds on average.
Generally, the narrative from bookmakers is that anything can happen. That’s why one of our expert tips for Kenya bettors for Tunisia vs Mali is that any team can win. Interestingly, the odds difference between the win options and the draw is about 0.5. That can also go for any of the teams, but Tunisia appears to be the favorite with 0.01 less odds on average. Hence, our prediction for a Tunisia win or draw is probable.
Final Thoughts on the Match
The Tunisia vs Mali poses a challenge to predictors due to the relatively equal strength of both teams. Nevertheless, you can count on our betting tips for Kenya sports fans. Ensure you check out our other updates for more sports predictions on the AFCON.
Oluwafemi Michael, a seasoned iGaming writer with nearly a decade of experience, excels in sports betting and casino content. Known for transforming complex gaming topics into engaging, informative narratives, he skillfully blends industry insights with an accessible style.
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