Preview: Mali vs. Uganda - prediction, team news, lineups

Having already booked their place in the next round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Mali play host to Uganda at the Stade Adrar on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the away side make the journey this weekend looking to maintain their unbeaten record in the qualifying campaign.

Match preview

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Mali claimed a third consecutive victory courtesy of a 3-0 triumph over Rwanda on Thursday at the Nyamirambo Stadium.

Goals from Moussa Djenepo, Ibrahima Kone and Kalifa Coulibaly secured a convincing win for Mohamed Magassouba's men.

Having amassed 13 of a possible 15 points so far, Les Aigles have an unassailable four-point lead at the top of Group E with only one game left to play.

The west Africans are one of 10 teams yet to taste defeat after the first five qualifiers and one of only two teams yet to concede a goal in that time.

Off the back of a third consecutive draw in this fixture when the teams faced off back in September, Sunday's hosts will be keen to go one better this time around.

Uganda were denied a second home win on the spin following a 1-1 stalemate versus Kenya at the St. Mary's Stadium-Kitende on Thursday.

Milutin Sredojevic's men fell behind to Michael Olunga's opener just past the hour mark before drawing level in the penultimate minute of normal time thanks to Fahad Bayo.

Those dropped points signaled the end of the Cranes' dream to qualify for the World Cup despite a relatively impressive qualifying journey.

Sunday's visitors, who have only found the back of the net three times in their last five outings, have work to do against a defence as solid as their hosts'.

Team News

Ibrahima Kone has scored five goals in his last three games for Mali and will be looking continue his rich vein of form.

With only little at stake, we expect Magassouba to ring the changes with the likes of Moussa Doumbia getting a chance of impress.

Fahad Bayo has scored all of Uganda's three goals in the qualifiers so far and the 23-year-old is one to keep an eye on.

Stephen Mukwala could drop to the bench for this one after he was subbed off at half time for Milton Karisa following an unconvincing performance last time out.

Mali possible starting lineup:
Mounkoro; Traore, Kouyate, Sacko, Traore; Doumbia, Dieng, Toure, Samassekou, Sinayoko; Coulibaly

Uganda possible starting lineup:
Lukwago; Iguma, Mugabi, Awany, Kayondo; Bobosi, Aucho, Wasiwa; Karisa, Bayo, Muleme

We say: Mali 2-0 Uganda

Uganda have struggled in attack of late and we expect that to continue here. Mali, on the other hand, have been impressive at both ends of the field and we are backing them to come out on top.

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