Preview: Morocco vs. Liberia - prediction, team news, lineups

The Lone Stars, who are currently rooted to the bottom of the group, will be looking to end their run of three consecutive defeats in all competitions and end the campaign on a high.

Match preview

Morocco were denied a third consecutive victory against Ivory Coast when the sides squared off in a friendly on Saturday as they could only salvage a 1-1 draw against the Elephants at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny.

Ivory Coast appeared on course to victory when Borussia Dortmund man Sebastien Haller put them in front on the stroke of half time but substitute Ayoub El Kaabi restored parity with just eight minutes left in the game.

This followed a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso in the first of their two consecutive friendly matches on September 12, when Azzedine Ounahi netted in the 37th minute to end the Stallions' run of three straight friendly victories.

Walid Regragui's men now turn their attention to the 2023 AFCON qualifiers, where they kicked off their quest for a fourth consecutive appearance in the continental showpiece with back-to-back victories over South Africa and Liberia back in June 2022.

However, their 100% record in the qualifiers came to an end on June 17 when they were beaten 2-1 by the Bafana Bafana courtesy of a first-half own goal from Monir El Kajoui and Zakhele Lepasa's 48th-minute strike.

With six points from their three qualifying games, Morocco currently sit one point behind Group K leaders South Africa and have already sealed their ticket to Ivory Coast, where they will battle Tanzania, Congo DR and Zambia in Group F.

Liberia, on the other hand, failed to stop the rot on Saturday when they suffered a 3-2 defeat against Libya when the sides squared off in a friendly at the Phosphate Stadium.

Prior to that, the Lone Stars fell to a 3-1 loss against Ghana in a friendly on September 12, when Ernest Nuamah, Mohammed Kudus and Jordan Ayew all found the back of the net to hand the Black Stars a resounding victory.

Ansumana Keita's men have now suffered three defeats on the spin across all competitions, including a 2-1 loss at the hands of South Africa in their most recent AFCON qualifying outing on March 28.

Liberia have also gone six consecutive games without a win, losing four and picking up two draws since a 2-1 victory over Senegal in the Africa Nations Championship qualifiers back in July 2022.

While they will be looking to end this poor run, next up is the stern challenge of taking on a Morocco side who have won three of their last four meetings since their first encounter in March 1981.

Morocco Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying form:

Morocco form (all competitions):

W

D

D

L

W

D

Liberia Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying form:

Liberia form (all competitions):

D

L

D

L

L

L

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Team News

Following their solid team display against Ivory Coast at the weekend, Regragui could name a similar starting side on Tuesday, with Selim Amallah, Ounahi and Noussair Mazraoui teaming up in the centre of the park.

Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri, who has scored 17 goals to sit seventh in the nation's all-time scoring chart, should spearhead the attack once again, while El Kaabi could be rewarded with a starting role following his impressive cameo on Saturday.

Having started the game against Ivory Coast, experienced goalkeeper Yassine Bounou could drop to the bench on Tuesday, with 25-year-old El Mehdi Benabid coming into the fold for his senior debut.

Former Wolverhampton Wanderers man Romain Saiss should marshal the Atlas Lions' defence once again, forming the back four with Achraf Hakimi, Nayef Aguerd and Yahia Attiyat Allah.

Off the back of a solid display against Libya, Kamara, who made his senior debut back in March, should lead the Liberia attack once again, alongside William Jebor.

At the centre of the park, York United FC man Brem Soumaoro could be handed a starting role by Keita, teaming up with 25-year-old Dorley and Rivers United's Albert Korvah.

Morocco possible starting lineup:

Benabid; Allah, Saiss, Aguerd, Hakimi; Amallah, Ounahi, Mazraoui; El Kaabi, Harit, En-Nesyri

Liberia possible starting lineup:

Wynney; Jamal, Dweh, Saygbe; Korvah, Kenneh, Sangare, Soumaoro, Dorley; Jebor, Kamara

We say: Morocco 2-0 Liberia

While Tuesday's game is nothing but a dead rubber for the two sides, whose fates have already been sealed, we anticipate a thrilling encounter nonetheless. Given the gulf in quality and experience between the two nations, we are backing Morocco to come away with a comfortable victory in front of their home supporters.

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