Preview: Ivory Coast vs. Mali - prediction, team news, lineups

Ivory Coast, hosts of next year's Africa Cup of Nations, play host to Mali in a friendly encounter at Stade Robert Champroux on Tuesday.

The Elephants have claimed three wins from their last four, while the Eagles were one of the best sides in AFCON qualifying.

Match preview

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Ivory Coast partook in AFCON qualifying despite being the tournament hosts next year, and they ended second in Group H, level on points with Zambia.

The Elephants were perfect on their turf, winning all three games in front of their fans, with their away let-downs causing the second-placed finish.

They netted seven times in home fixtures and conceded twice, demonstrating an assuredness at their stomping ground.

With the finals several months away, Jean-Louis Gasset and his team know the hard work starts now as they hope to claim the title on home soil.

The 2015 African champions won three of their last four in qualifying, highlighting their strong form heading into Tuesday's clash.

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Mali are the visitors to Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara, with the Eagles not expected to be pushovers in the friendly.

Eric Chelle replaced Mohamed Magassouba before the start of AFCON qualifying, and the new boss guided the West African nation to five wins from six, a joint-high with Nigeria, Egypt and Algeria.

With 15 goals scored and two conceded in six games, Chelle has created a side that is menacing in the attacking third but impressively retaining a sturdiness defensively.

Both facets of their game will be tested on Tuesday, and it remains to be seen if they pull up trees against the two-time continental champions.

With four games won in their previous 33 meetings with Ivory Coast, Mali are underdogs heading into this week's friendly.

Team News

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Christian Kouame and Ibrahim Sangare were the Elephants' leading goalscorers in qualifying (two goals), and both could be pivotal to Tuesday's outcome.

Sebastien Haller could only score one strike for the Ivory Coast, and the pressure is on the Borussia Dortmund striker heading into the home tournament.

Kamory Doumbia netted three goals for Mali throughout the qualification phase, and the attacking midfielder could hurt Ivory Coast's prospects of winning.

Yves Bissouma, who came on and brilliantly set up Mali's fourth against South Sudan, could start in midfield for the Eagles.

Adama Malouda Traore was substituted before the half-hour mark, and the wide attacker is not expected to feature on Tuesday.

Ivory Coast possible starting lineup:

Fofana; Kossounou, Diomade, Ndicka; Diakite, Sangare, Seri, Cornet; Krasso, Adingra; Haller

Mali possible starting lineup:

Diara; Traore, Sacko, Niakate, Dante; Dieng, Bissouma, Samessekou; Dorgeles, Kone, Doumbia

We say: Ivory Coast 1-1 Mali

Mali may not beat the Ivory Coast, but the Eagles should feel primed to avoid defeat against the Elephants on Tuesday.

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