Preview: Egypt vs. Tunisia - prediction, team news, lineups

Egypt and Tunisia face off on Tuesday at the 30 June Stadium after their final games of Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.

The Pharaohs defeated Ethiopia 1-0 in Cairo on Friday, while their North African rivals secured a 3-0 win over Botswana that saw them end atop their group.

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Match preview

Mohamed Salah was uninvolved for Egypt, but that did not affect the outcome against Ethiopia, with the African giants securing a 1-0 triumph.

That win was the seven-time African champions' fifth in qualifying, a joint-high with Mali, Algeria and Nigeria.

Next year's AFCON may be four months away, but Rui Vitoria's men begin their preparations now, with Tuesday's meeting to come against possible favourites at the continental showpiece.

The Pharaohs are eight games unbeaten under the Portuguese manager, whose year in charge of the team has produced as many wins.

Another game in Cairo could see that sequence extended to nine, and with Salah back in the side, Africa's most successful side will back themselves to win.

Tunisia will have other ideas as they seek to stun the Pharaohs in the capital on Tuesday.

Even though they could secure only four wins in qualifying, it was enough for the Eagles of Carthage to top Group J, where their round six win over Botswana and Equatorial Guinea's draw with bottom Libya saw the North African side end above the Equatoguineans.

Jalel Kadri's team conceded one goal in six matches in qualifying, a statistic that could put them in good stead when they battle Egypt in Cairo.

At the other end of the pitch, Youssef Msakni's five goals in qualifying was outdone by only Nigeria's Victor Osimhen — a commendable finish for the Tunisia attacker.

Tuesday's encounter is a friendly match, but the 2004 African champions are determined to end Vitoria's unbeaten start to life with the Pharaohs.

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Team News

Salah should return to the Egypt side for Tuesday's game, having been rested for the dead rubber AFCON qualifier against Ethiopia on Friday.

Mohamed Hamdi went off late through injury last time out, and the left-back may be uninvolved against the Eagles of Carthage.

As for Tunisia, Msakni is expected to play from the off in Cairo, where Tunisia seek to get the better of the Pharaohs — the attacker was a second-half introduction into the game that resulted in a 3-0 triumph over Botswana.

Ali Abdi was an attacking threat in that game, and the left-back should retain his spot in the team on Tuesday.

Egypt possible starting lineup:

El Shenawy; Hany, Gabr, Abdelmonem, Fatouh; Attia, Fathi, Hamada; Salah, Mohamed, Marmoush

Tunisia possible starting lineup:

Dahmen; Valery, Meriah, Talbi, Abdi; Msakni, Mejbri, Skhiri, Laidouni, Ltaief; Jouini

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We say: Egypt 2-1 Tunisia

Both sides are closely matched, but Salah's return to the side should give Egypt the edge against Tunisia in Cairo.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.