Morocco will be looking to be the only side to finish with maximum points in the second qualifying round of the World Cup 2022 when they welcome Guinea to the Stade Mohammed V on Tuesday.
In contrast, the visitors are yet to taste victory in the qualifiers and will be looking to end this dry spell and see out their campaign on a high.
Match preview
Morocco maintained their blistering run of results in the World Cup qualifiers as they cruised to a 3-0 victory over Sudan at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium last Thursday.
Ryan Mmaee put on a brilliant individual performance as he netted twice to put the visitors in a commanding lead inside 60 minutes before Watford forward Imran Louza completed the rout in the 93rd minute.
Vahid Halilhodzic's men, who have now won each of their opening five games in the qualifiers, comfortably sit top of Group I and this has been owing to their superb displays at both ends of the pitch as they have netted 17 goals and let in just one so far.
The Atlas Lions head into Tuesday's game on a seven-game winning run across all competitions, while they are unbeaten since October 2019, when they fell to a 3-2 loss against Gabon in a friendly fixture.
Meanwhile, Guinea were denied their first win of the campaign last time out when they were held to an uneventful goalless draw by West African neighbors Guinea-Bissau.
In a dead rubber group tie where clear-cut chances were at a premium, both sides failed to offer any real threat at the attacking end of the pitch before settling for a share of the spoils.
This followed a humbling 4-1 defeat at the hands of runaway group leaders Morocco in October's reverse fixture which saw their run of three straight draws come to an end.
Guinea have now failed to win a competitive away game in nine outings, picking up six draws and losing three since a 2-0 victory over Burundi back in June 2019.
While Kaba Diawara's men will be looking to end this dry spell and close their campaign on a winning note, they face the daunting task of going up against an opposing side who have won each of the most recent three meetings between the sides.
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- D
- D
- D
- L
- D
- W
- D
- D
- D
- L
- D
Team News
Morocco head into the game with a host of world-class talents down the spine of the team, including Sevilla forward Munir El Haddadi, Paris Saint-Germain full-back Achraf Hakimi and centre-back Romain Saiss.
The Wolverhampton Wanderers man has been ever-present for the Atlas Lions since making his debut back in 2012 and we expect him to lead the backline, shielding Sevilla's Bono between the sticks.
Mmaee put on a clinic last time out, where he hit a brace to inspire his nation to all three points and we expect the 24-year-old to spearhead the attack once again.
Meanwhile, with Francois Kamano omitted from Guinea's 24-man list, Sory Kaba was tasked with leading the attack against Guinea-Bissau last time out.
In defence, Saidou Sow, who has three goal involvements to his name for Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1, stood at the heart of the back four and we expect the 19-year-old to keep his place in the XI after a solid outing.
Morocco possible starting lineup:
Bono; Hakimi, Saiss, Aguerd, El Karouani; Amrabat, Louza, Barkok; El Kaabi, Mmaee, Boufal
Guinea possible starting lineup:
Keita; I Sylla, Camara, Kante, Conte; M Sylla, Camara, Diawara; Cisse; Soumah, Kaba
We say: Morocco 3-0 Guinea
Morocco have been utterly dominant in the qualifiers and will be looking to close out the campaign as the only side to enjoy a perfect record. While we expect Guinea to push for their first win of the campaign, we are backing the hosts to claim all three points unscathed.
Top tip
body check tags ::
Previews by email
