Tunisia vs Libya Prediction: AFCON Qualifier Preview
Match preview
Tunisia welcome Libya in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, with the teams set to meet again in Tripoli next Thursday. The exact calendar date of this first match is not supplied. Both sides have work to do in Group H, making this opening game of their double-header important.
Tunisia have collected two points from their first two qualifiers, drawing with Uganda and Botswana. They sit third in the group and are at risk of missing the finals for the first time since 1992, although the two upcoming meetings give them a chance to improve their position.
Form and recent results
Tunisia are without a win in eight matches and have conceded in each of their last seven. That run is a sharp contrast with their record of reaching the last 17 AFCON finals, and their defensive issues have contributed to an unconvincing start to qualifying.
Libya opened their campaign by coming back from two goals behind to draw with Botswana, then lost to Uganda after Arnold Vula scored just before half-time. They have now gone five matches without a win, following an earlier five-game unbeaten run, and have managed only one victory in their last 13 AFCON qualifiers.
Head to head
Tunisia have won the last four meetings between the sides, all in AFCON qualifying. That record favours the hosts, but it cannot erase their current difficulties or guarantee that the next match will follow the same pattern.
Team news and projected line-ups
Elias Achouri, Ellyes Skhiri and Hannibal Mejbri are ruled out for Tunisia through injury. Hazem Mastouri has scored three goals across his last two international appearances and will be one to watch. Ferjan Sassi is one appearance away from matching Radhi Jaidi’s Tunisia record of 105 caps.
Ezzeddine Al Mariami has been directly involved in each of Libya’s last three goals. Osama Al Shreimy, who plays for Club Africain in Tunisia, will also be looking to impress against his adopted home nation.
The supplied projected line-ups are:
Tunisia: Dahmen; Nasraoui, Arous, Talbi; Ltaief, Sassi, Laidouni, Maaloul; Gharbi, Ben Slimane; Mastouri.
Libya: Al Tihar; Jaddour, Al Suwaee, Youssef, Salama; Al Hbeishi, Al Shalui; Elhouni, Al Gsheim, Issa; Al Mariami.
Tactical factors
Both sides have defensive concerns, with Tunisia conceding first in six of their last seven matches. Libya may look to take advantage early, while an opening goal for the visitors could add pressure to a Tunisia team still searching for a victory.
Tunisia’s home advantage and recent dominance in this fixture count in their favour, but their winless run makes the outcome difficult to call with confidence. Mastouri’s scoring form offers the hosts a threat, while Al Mariami’s recent contributions make him a key attacking option for Libya.
Tunisia vs Libya score prediction
Prediction: Tunisia 3-1 Libya.
Tunisia’s recent results are concerning, particularly their run of conceding goals, but the available evidence still gives the hosts reasons for optimism. They have won the last four meetings with Libya, and Mastouri arrives after scoring three times in two international appearances.
Libya’s own winless stretch and record of just one win in their last 13 AFCON qualifiers count against them. Goals at both ends look possible given the defensive problems reported for each side, but Tunisia are favoured to make home advantage count. The prediction remains uncertain.