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

Having already secured safe passage into the next round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Egypt welcome Gabon to the Borg El Arab Stadium on Tuesday.

On the other hand, the visitors make the trip to Alexandria looking to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat away from home since the turn of the year.

Match preview

Egypt were held to a 2-2 draw by Angola on Friday when the teams squared up at Estadio 11 de Novembro.

Carlos Queiroz's men found themselves two goals down courtesy of strikes from Helder Costa and M'Bala Nzola before hitting back through Mohamed Elneny and Akram Tawfik.

Having recorded 11 points from a possible 15 so far, the Pharaohs currently lead Group F by four points ahead of their final fixture.

With a 100% record on home turf since 2020, Tuesday's hosts are well-placed to come out on top in this one and close out their qualifying campaign in style.

Gabon claimed a second home victory on the bounce following a 1-0 win over Libya at Stade de Franceville on Friday.

A Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang penalty nine minutes into the second period secured all three points for Patrice Neveu's men.

The Panthers have moved up to second place in the group as a result and have now scored as many goals as they have conceded.

In search of a first away triumph since 2019, Tuesday's visitors are faced with another stern test on the road.

Team News

With only pride to play for, we expect the home side to ring the changes for this one, handing opportunities to a number of second-string players.

The likes of Hamdi Fathi and Marwan Hamdy came off the bench last time out but could be given the nod right from the off this time.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored in each of his last two appearances for Gabon and the 32-year-old is one to look out for.

Nice midfielder Mario Lemina will be pushing for a start here after he was only a half-time substitute in his side's last involvement.

Egypt possible starting lineup:
El Shenawy; Tawfik, Alaa, Ashraf, Hegazy; Hamdy, Elneny, El Soulia; Fathi, Mostafa, Salah

Gabon possible starting lineup:
Amonome; Palun, Ecuele Manga, Obissa, Obiang; Lemina, Sambissa, Kanga; Allevinah, Bouanga, Aubameyang

We say: Egypt 2-1 Gabon

Egypt have been imperious on home turf of late and are favourites to come out on top in this one, and while Gabon showed that they are no pushovers in the reverse fixture where they claimed a point, we are tipping the home side to edge out their visitors by a narrow margin.

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