SM
Real Madrid vs AC Milan: 16 hrs 25 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
CD
World Cup Qualifying - Africa | Third Round | 1st Leg
Mar 25, 2022 at 3pm UK
 
MN

Congo DR
1 - 1
Morocco

Wissa (12')
Muzinga (30')
Muzinga (85')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Tissoudali (76')
Aguerd (15'), Mmaee (42')

Preview: Congo DR vs. Morocco - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Congo DR vs. Morocco - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Friday's World Cup Qualifying - Africa clash between Congo DR and Morocco, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

With just 180 minutes of action separating them from a place in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Congo DR and Morocco face off in the first leg of their play-off tie at Stade des Martyrs.

Ahead of next week's return leg in Casablanca, the teams will be looking to steal a march on each other as they aim to be in the hat for November's global showpiece.


Match preview

Morocco were head and shoulders above every other African side during the previous stage of the qualifiers, as they won all of their six Group I games by a combined score of 20-1.

Vahid Halilhodzic's men failed to replicate that form at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, where they bowed out to Egypt in the quarter-final.

With five previous appearances at the World Cup finals, the Atlas Lions will fancy their chances of coming out on top against an opposing side who have only featured once at this level.

However, Morocco have won only two of their 11 encounters against Congo DR, with their last victory in this fixture coming back in a friendly 16 years ago.

Friday's visitors are yet to lose a game in 90 minutes since 2020, and another positive result in this one would certainly put them on the right track to secure a ticket to Qatar.

Congo DR fended off the threat of Benin to finish as winners of Group J having amassed 11 points from their six fixtures including a 2-0 victory over the aforementioned Benin on the final matchday.

Hector Cuper's men did not participate in January's AFCON and suffered a friendly 1-0 defeat to Bahrain in their most recent involvement last month.

Prior to that, the Leopards were on a seven-game unbeaten streak on their own patch since losing to the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon back in 2020.

With their home support cheering them on massively, Friday's hosts set out to pick up a crucial victory in their bid to end a 48-year wait for a World Cup outing.

Congo DR World Cup Qualifying - Africa form:
  • D
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • W

Congo DR form (all competitions):
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • L

Morocco World Cup Qualifying - Africa form:
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W

Morocco form (all competitions):
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • L

Team News

Dieumerci Mbokani and Cedric Bakambu have scored a combined 35 international goals, and the forwards will be heavily relied upon to provide firepower in attack.

Porto defender Chancel Mbemba is in line to make his 65th appearance for Congo DR, which would see him move to second place in the all-time charts.

Abde Ezzalzouli has chosen to represent Morocco over Spain, and the 20-year-old could be handed his debut on Friday.

Having not featured since June 2021, Hakim Ziyech has announced his retirement from international football due to his fall-out with head coach Halilhodzic.

Youssef En-Nesyri has failed to score in any of his last 12 outings across all competitions, but the Sevilla man is expected to lead the line nonetheless.

Congo DR possible starting lineup:
Kiassumbua; Mbemba, Luyindama, Masuaku, Amale; Bolasie, Kakuta, Moutoussamy, Bastien; Mbokani, Bakambu

Morocco possible starting lineup:
Bono; Masina, Aguerd, Hakimi, Saiss; Amrabat, Amallah, El Haddadi, Louza, Boufal; En Nesyri


We say: Congo DR 1-1 Morocco

Morocco boast the better team on paper, but Congo DR's home form could see them come away with a point in what should be an enthralling affair.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 2.5:data



body check tags ::

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


amp_article__481474 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2024-06-05 13:03:57:
html db last update - 2024-06-05 13:03:57 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
How West Ham players including Antonio, Soucek fared on international duty
Harry Houdini: Wilson's late wizardry helps Fulham snatch victory from Brentford
Preview: Liverpool vs. B. Leverkusen - prediction, team news, lineups
Preview: Tanzania vs. Congo DR - prediction, team news, lineups
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Preview: Red Star vs. Barcelona - prediction, team news, lineups

1

PR

Preview: Inter Milan vs. Arsenal - prediction, team news, lineups

2

PI

''It's been very tough' - Amorim opens up on taking Man United job

3

'B

Is Haaland injured? Guardiola reveals all ahead of Sporting clash

4

IH

Mainoo, Maguire return dates: Man United injury, suspension news vs. PAOK

5

MM

Team News: Sporting Lisbon vs. Man City injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

6

TN

Preview: Sparta Prague vs. Brest - prediction, team news, lineups

7

PS

Team News: Liverpool vs. B. Leverkusen injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

8

TN

Preview: Blackburn vs. Stoke - prediction, team news, lineups

9

PB

Romero doubt, Richarlison blow: Spurs injury news for Galatasaray clash

10

RD


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .