Preview:Congo vs. Togo - prediction, team news, lineups

Still in search of a first 2022 World Cup qualifying victory, Congo and Togo do battle at the Stade Alphonse Massemba-Debat on Tuesday.

This is the second meeting between the sides in the space of three days following a 1-1 draw on Saturday, where the visitors picked up their first point of the qualifiers.

Match preview

Congo had to settle for a point away from home for the second game running despite being in the ascendency for the majority of the contest at Stade de Kegue.

A Jacques-Alaixys Romao own goal saw Paul Put's men lead at half time but Euloge Fessou Placca struck within 10 minutes of the restart to level matters.

The Red Devils are third in Group H at the moment, seven points adrift of current leaders Senegal with only three matches left to play.

With little margin for error going forward, the central Africans take to the field in Brazzaville with the knowledge that anything short of a win would see their chances of a first-ever World Cup appearance come to an end.

Togo would have been the happier of the two sides at the sound of the final whistle in Lome where they ended a three-game losing streak.

However, Paulo Duarte's men remain bottom of the group and like Congo, failure to come out on top in their next outing would spell the end of their World Cup aspirations.

The West Africans, who have also failed to secure a place at next year's Africa Cup of Nations, are now staring at the possibility of missing out on two consecutive international tournaments.

Having found the back of the net for the first time in four matches last time out, Tuesday's visitors will be keen to push on from there.

Team News

Congo's Fernand Mayembo was given his marching orders versus Togo last time out and the Le Havre defender is suspended for Tuesday's contest.

24-year-old Morgan Poaty is a major doubt for this one after he was hauled off in the first half of the aforementioned game with an injury.

Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba is sixth on his nation's all-time scoring chart and has scored more goals for Togo than any other active player since his debut in 2016.

The likes of Richard Nane and Marouf Tchakei will be pushing for a place in the starting lineup after featuring off the bench on Saturday.

Congo possible starting lineup:

Mafoumbi; Rozan, Poaty, Tsouka, Goteni; Andzouana, Makouta, Tchimbembe; Mbemba, Ganvoula, Mboungou

Togo possible starting lineup:

Barcola; Moussa, Agbozo, Youssifou, Djene; Placca, Aholou, Romao; Doh Laba, Bebou, Henen

We say: Congo 1-1 Togo

Both sides head into the contest already in the last chance saloon, and we anticipate an absorbing affair in this one. However, we are tipping the teams to cancel each other out and settle for a point apiece in the end.