The penultimate game in Group A of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers will see Gambia take on Comoros at Stade Municipal de Berkane on Friday.
Both teams settled for a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture, and are separated by only one point and one spot in a closely-contested group.
Match preview
Gambia took a significant step in their quest to qualify for a third consecutive AFCON tournament when they picked up their first win of the qualifying series during October's window.
The Scorpions edged Madagascar 1-0 on home soil days after a 1-1 draw in the first leg, leaving them in third place with five points after defeats to Tunisia and Comoros in their opening two matches.
Johnny McKinstry's side will need to win both their final matches against Comoros and Tunisia to have a chance of finishing in the top two, but a lack of adequate home support for Gambia in either of the matches might hinder their chances.
No stadium in Gambia met FIFA's standards, forcing the Scorpions to play their home game against Comoros at a neutral venue, while they will have to travel to Tunisia for the final qualifying game.
McKinstry's team have not won any of their last four matches on the road, losing two and drawing the most recent two.
Comoros picked up four points from their double-header against Tunisia last month to remain the only unbeaten team in Group A, which helped them stay second with six points, one behind group leaders Tunisia.
Les Coelacantes won away at Tunisia thanks to a goal from Rafiki Said, before being held to a 1-1 draw at home in the return leg a couple of days later.
Prior to those games against Tunisia, Comoros drew 1-1 against both Gambia and Madagascar in their opening two matches, but they must now win their last two matches to stay in control of their fate.
If Comoros were to qualify for AFCON 2025, it would be just the second time they have reached the finals of the competition in the last 12 editions of the tournament.
Team News
Brighton & Hove Albion's Yankuba Minteh is the man to watch for Gambia, having scored two of their four goals in the qualifying series so far.
Musa Barrow scored the only goal in the win over Madagascar, and should lead the line once again with Ali Sowe and Alieu Fadera offering support behind the striker alongside Minteh.
Youssouf M'Changama will be the man to watch for the Comoros having scored 50 percent of their goals in the qualifiers so far.
Said Bakari will likely feature in attack for the visitors, while Myziane Maolida could partner him in the forward line alongside Faiz Selemani.
Gambia possible starting lineup:
Jarju; Ceesay, Gomez, Colley, Touray; Manneh, Adams; Fadera, Sowe, Minteh; Barrow
Comoros possible starting lineup:
Pandor; Bakari, Omari, M'Dahoma, Abdallah; Bourhane, Lutin, M'Changama; Selemani, Maolida, Said
We say: Gambia 1-1 Comoros
There was little to separate Gambia and Comoros in the first leg despite the number of chances created, and we believe that a similar outcome is likely at the final whistle on Friday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
body check tags ::
Previews by email
