Egypt and Comoros will round off their Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaigns with a clash on Monday evening, with both nations already booking their spots in the finals of the competition.
Comoros famously qualified for their first AFCON courtesy of a goalless draw with Togo on Thursday, while Egypt, who are currently top of Group G, ensured their spot in the finals with a 1-1 draw away to Kenya.
Match preview
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Egypt are the most successful country in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations, having won the tournament a record seven times, with their last victory coming back in 2010.
Al-Firaeina did not qualify for the 2012, 2013 or 2015 editions of the AFCON, but they were runners-up in 2017 before reaching the round of 16 of the 2019 competition.
Egypt have not been at their best during this qualification campaign, but a draw against Kenya on Thursday ensured that they would be present at the finals with one match to spare.
Hossam El Badry's side are actually on a seven-game unbeaten run in all competitions, but they have drawn three of their five matches in Group G and would finish second with a loss on Monday.
The Pharaohs were held to a goalless draw by Comoros when the two nations met in the reverse match back in November 2019, but they are unbeaten in AFCON qualifiers since June 2017.
Comoros, as mentioned, ensured that they would be present in the finals for the first time in their history courtesy of a goalless draw with Togo on Thursday.
There is no pressure on Les Coelacantes heading into Monday's match, but they should not be short of confidence, having avoided defeat in their last six matches in all competitions.
Comoros started their Group G campaign with a 1-0 win over Togo in November 2019 before drawing back-to-back games against Egypt and Kenya to move onto five points in the section.
An impressive 2-1 victory over Kenya last November then placed Amir Abdou's side in a strong position before they finished the job on Thursday by picking up a point at home to Togo.
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Team News
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Egypt boss El Badry could make changes from the side that started against Kenya, with qualification for the finals of the tournament, which begins early next year, now secure.
The head coach is expected to resist the temptation to make wholesale alterations, though, meaning that there could be another start in the final third of the field for Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah.
Ahmed Hegazi should again feature in the middle of the defence, but Mohamed Farouk and Mohamed Sherif could be handed positions in the starting XI on Monday.
As for Comoros, head coach Abdou has no injury concerns from the team that featured against Togo, and the squad should be on a high following their excellent achievement.
El Fardou Ben Nabouhane is the leading goalscorer in the squad with 10 and should again feature in the final third of the field, with Faiz Selemani also expected to keep his spot.
Abdou is unlikely to alter his midfield too much, meanwhile, with Youssouf M'Changama set to feature once again, while Ali Ahamada should retain his spot between the sticks.
Egypt possible starting lineup:
El-Shenawy; Hany, El Wensh, Hegazi, Mansour; Hamed, Fathi, Sherif; Salah, Trezeguet, Farouk
Comoros possible starting lineup:
A Ahamada; Youssouf, Zahary, M'Dahoma, K Amamada; Mogni, Mattoir, Abdullah, M'Changama; Ben Nabouhane, Selemani
We say: Egypt 1-0 Comoros
Comoros have already shown that they are capable of taking points off Egypt, with the two teams playing out a goalless draw in November 2019. El Badry's side will be keen to finish with a win, though, and we are expecting the hosts to collect all three points in the narrowest of fashions.
Matt Law
