Morocco vs Mali prediction: AFRICA: Africa Cup of Nations betting tips on match 2025-12-25 20:00.
[p]Morocco and Mali both failed to score first-half penalties in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) openers, but while the former recovered to win, the latter could only draw, so may feel under pressure heading into this clash with the hosts.[/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]AFCON favourites Morocco defeated Comoros 2-0 on Sunday night, but they took a while to find their groove after Soufiane Rahimi failed to convert from the spot, with Ayoub El Kaabi’s superb overhead kick, an early goal-of-the-tournament contender, helping the Atlas Lions settle any opening-night nerves and extend their unbeaten run to 18 internationals (W17, D1). They haven’t lost a competitive game at home since 2009, so hopes will be high that they can now start the group stage with two straight wins, just as they have done in two of their previous three appearances at this tournament.[/p]
[p]Mali looked to be heading for victory against Zambia on Sunday only to concede an equaliser in second-half stoppage time (1-1), although at least they remain unbeaten across their last four fixtures (W2, D2), which should encourage the six-time AFCON semi-finalists as they take on the role of underdogs here. While the Eagles should not be completely discounted as they have only lost one of their last six games at the tournament (W2, D3), a record of just one win in their last six matches on foreign soil must be a concern for Tom Saintfiet’s men (D3, L2).[/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]Morocco have lost just one of the last seven H2Hs (W4, D2), most recently beating Mali 2-0 in the 2020 African Nations Championship final.[/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Each of Morocco’s last four AFCON games produced under 2.5 goals.[/p]
[p]Morocco have won nine consecutive matches on home soil without conceding.[/p]
[p]Mali’s last four games saw the half-time result replicated at full-time.[/p]
[p]Mali haven’t scored after the 75th minute in any of their last eight AFCON encounters.[/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]After his wonderstrike against Comoros, Morocco’s El Kaabi has now scored seven times in his last eight matches for club or country, with four of the last six of those goals arriving after the 65th minute. Lassine Sinayoko’s strike for Mali against Zambia took his tally to four in his last three games for any team, while he has made it 1-0 in three of his last four international goalscoring appearances.[/p]
[p]Morocco lost Romain Saïss to injury early on against Comoros, so he may not feature here. Mali do not seem to have any fresh absentees. [/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]We expect Morocco to produce an improved performance now that they have a win under their belt, so our tip is to back Morocco/Morocco in the half-time/full-time market.[/p]
[p][i]Author: John Pennington[/i][/p]