Madagascar and Tanzania draw the curtain in Group J of the World Cup qualifiers when they lock horns at the Mahamasina Municipal Stadium on Sunday.

The visitors are currently three points behind first-place Benin and will be seeking to keep their slender qualifying chances alive, while the hosts will be aiming to bow out on a winning note.

Match preview

© Reuters

Madagascar were denied a second win on the bounce in the World Cup qualifiers when they suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Benin last time out.

In a one-sided affair at the Stade de l'Amitie, Jodel Dossou put the Squirrels ahead on the stroke of half time before Steve Mounie doubled the advantage with 11 minutes left to play.

Prior to that, Nicolas Dupuis's men snapped their run of eight games without a win when they stunned Congo DR 1-0 courtesy of Njiva Rakotoharimalala's first-minute opener on October 10.

The result last time out saw Madagascar's dreams of a first-ever World Cup appearance come to an end as they find themselves rooted to the bottom of Group J after picking up three points from five outings.

The Barea head into Sunday's game winless in all but one of their most recent 10 games across all competitions, picking up two draws and losing seven since their successive victories over Ethiopia and Niger back in 2019.

Meanwhile, Tanzania's chances of making it into the final qualifying round took a huge blow last time out when they crumbled to a 3-0 defeat against Congo DR on home turf.

Gael Kakuta, Nathan Idumba Fasika and Ben Malango all found the target to hand the Leopards a vital three points at Dar es Salaam's Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium and leapfrog the hosts in the group standings.

Prior to that, Kim Poulsen's side picked up their second win of the campaign as Simon Msuva struck in the opening six minutes against Benin when the sides squared off on October 10.

While Tanzania will be desperate to avoid dropping points and effectively remain in the qualification race, next up is an opposing side who they have failed to beat in eight of the last 11 meetings between the sides, picking up three draws and losing five, including a 3-2 defeat in September's reverse fixture.

Team News

© Reuters

With Madagascar having nothing to play for, Dupuis could shuffle his starting XI in this one, with the likes of Marignane defender Nomena Andriantiana in line for his national team debut.

Paulin Voavy was hooked off at half time against Benin after an unimpressive display, and the 34-year-old, who has now failed to find the target in each of his last 21 games, could drop to the bench.

In defence, we expect Lorient man Jeremy Morel to sit at the heart of the back five, shielding Louhans Cuiseaux goalkeeper Adrien Melvin between the sticks.

Meanwhile, after his side crumbled against Congo DR last time out, Poulsen could make some alterations to his side, particularly at the defensive end of the pitch, where they have conceded seven goals so far.

Erasto Nyoni, who opened the scoring in September's reverse fixture, was dropped to the bench in the aforementioned game and the Simba defender could return to the golf this weekend.

Madagascar possible starting lineup:
Melvin; Metanire, Razakanantenaina, Morel, Randrianarisoa, Lapoussin; Njiva Rakotoharimalala, Ilaimaharitra, Raveloson, Abdalla; Rakotondraibe

Tanzania possible starting lineup:
Manula; Nndodo, Job, Nyoyi; Mwenda, Dismass, Salum, Husseini; Kibu, Samatta, Msuva

We say: Madagascar 0-1 Tanzania

Tanzania need all three points to stand a chance of progressing into the final qualifying round. The Taifa Stars take on an out-of-sorts Madagascar side who have managed just one win from their last 10 games and we predict they will claim all three points on Sunday and complete the group double over the Barea.

Previews by email