Tunisia entertain the challenge of Botswana at the Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi in round six of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
For the home side, securing top spot of their group is the major objective heading into this one, while the visitors will be aiming to avoid finishing bottom.
Match preview
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Tunisia played out a 1-1 stalemate against the Desert Warriors of Algeria in the sides' friendly encounter at Stade 19 Mai 1956 on June 20.
Jalel Kadri's men took the lead in the 13th minute through Montassar Talbi after which Riyad Mahrez restored parity from the penalty spot seven minutes shy of the interval.
Consequently, the Carthage Eagles are now unbeaten in four of their last five outings across all competitions since a 1-0 defeat to Australia in the 2022 World Cup.
Lying in store next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who have just about been on the receiving end more often than not in this fixture, with three defeats and two wins from the previous seven clashes.
Having not suffered a home defeat since June 2021, Thursday's hosts are big favourites to emerge victorious in front of their fans once again.
Botswana ended a run of four consecutive defeats by claiming a narrow 1-0 win over the Mediterranean Knights of Libya at the Francistown Stadium on June 17.
Mogomotsi Mpote's men edged ahead on the stroke of half time through Gape Mohutsiwa before putting on a defensive masterclass in the second half to hold on their advantage.
While their AFCON hopes have long been dashed, the Zebras have now moved up to third place in Group J of the qualifiers, a point clear of bottom-placed Libya.
Currently on a run of just one win from 10 matches on the road leading up to Thursday's contest, the visitors have it all to do in Rades if they are to avoid a fruitless outing away from home.
Team News
Elias Saad and Samy Chouchane are both on course to make their respective debuts for Tunisia, having been called up to the senior squad for the first time ever.
With three goals scored in his last two AFCON qualifiers for the home side, midfielder Youssef Msakni is definitely one to keep an eye on here.
Botswana's Lesenya Malapela has had some competition between the sticks of late but is expected to retain his place in the starting lineup.
Thirty-year-old Kabelo Seakanyeng has been in good goalscoring form of late and will be looking to come up trumps for the visitors in this one.
Tunisia possible starting lineup:
Dahmen; Maaloul, Talbi, Meriah, Kechrida; Laidouni, Skhiri, Mejbri; Msakni, Jouini, Layouni
Botswana possible starting lineup:
Malapela; Velaphi, Kopelang, Ditlhokwe, Mangolo; Mohutsiwa, Ditsele, Modingwane; Seakanyeng, Molaodi, Sesinyi
We say: Tunisia 2-0 Botswana
Tunisia are yet to concede in five straight home matches, and we expect that run to continue given Botswana's struggles in front of goal. We can also see the hosts cruising to a routine victory come the end of the 90 minutes.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Adepoju Marvellous
