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

Ivory Coast and Malawi go toe to toe for the second consecutive game in Group D of the World Cup qualifiers at the Stade de l'Amitie on Monday.

The visitors will head into the game seeking to exact revenge on the hosts after they were beaten 3-0 when the sides faced off last Friday.

Match preview

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Ivory Coast began their pursuit of a fourth World Cup appearance on September 3, when they were held to a disappointing goalless draw against Mozambique at the Estadio do Zimpeto.

They bounced back to winning ways three days later when they saw off a resilient Cameroon side courtesy of a first-half brace from Ajax forward Sebastien Haller.

Patrice Beaumelle's men made it two wins from two last time out as they beat Malawi 3-0 when the sides locked horns at the Orlando Stadium.

After Max Gradel scored in the 35th minute to hand Ivory Coast a first-half lead, Ibrahim Sangare doubled the lead in the 85th minute before Jeremie Boga completed the rout with a 95th-minute strike.

The Elephants head into Monday's game unbeaten in each of their last nine outings across all competitions, picking up six wins and three draws since a 1-0 friendly defeat at the hands of Japan.

This has been owing to the solid job done at both ends of the pitch as they have scored 19 goals in that time, while shipping five at the opposite end of the pitch.

Meanwhile, after falling to a 2-0 loss against Cameroon in their group opener on September 3, Malawi picked up a 1-0 win over Mozambique four days later.

However, they were sent crashing back down to earth last time out against the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations champions, who condemned them to a third defeat in four games.

With three points from their opening three matches, Malawi are currently third in Group D, four points adrift of Monday's hosts who currently lead the way in the group.

While the Flames will be seeking to quickly return to winning ways, they go up against an opposing side who they have failed to beat in their last three attempts, picking up one draw and losing two.

Team News

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Haller, who has enjoyed a stellar campaign for Ajax so far with five goals in eight games, could lead the attack on Monday after sitting out last Thursday's encounter.

He could be joined in attack by Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha, while Manchester United's Eric Bailly and Wolverhampton Wanderers' Willy Boly could handle business at the opposite end of the pitch.

Meanwhile, on the back of his side's underwhelming display when the sides faced off last Friday, manager Meke Mwase could tinker with the starting lineup on Monday.

On that note, we could see Richard Mbulu, who scored seven goals in 19 appearances for Baroka in the South African top flight last season, come into the starting XI at the expense of Duncan Nyoni who struggled to impress last time out.

Ivory Coast possible starting lineup:
Chipuwa; Mzava, Petro, Sanudi, Chembezi; P Banda, Phiri, Mbulu, J Banda; Muyaba, Mhango

Malawi possible starting lineup:
Gbohou; Aurier, Boly, Kossonou; Kamara, Kessie, Sangare, Kovassi; Zaha, Gradel, Haller

We say: Ivory Coast 2-0 Malawi

After easing to a comfortable 3-0 against the visitors last Friday, Ivory Coast will head into the game in full confidence.

The visitors will have to be at their best to avoid a second straight defeat against an opposing side who last lost back in November 2020.

Given the gulf in class and quality between the two sides, we predict the Elephants will come away with all three points unscathed.

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