Malawi vs Guinea Prediction (09.09.2023)

On Saturday afternoon, Malawi and Guinea clash in the final game of Group D of qualifying for the African Cup of Nations.

The home team heads into this clash knowing that Malawi cannot qualify for next year's African Cup of Nations. They have picked up just four points from their five group matches.

Malawi’s recent record in African Cup of Nations qualifiers is unsurprisingly poor, as they have failed to win any of their last four qualifiers. In fact, a 0-0 draw with Ethiopia last time out ended a three-game losing streak in qualifying.

The home team’s main problem in qualifying of late has been a lack of goals, as they have failed to score in all four of their winless qualifiers.

Despite Malawi’s recent underwhelming form in qualifying, a 4-0 defeat in their last home qualifier ended an eight-game unbeaten run in qualifiers. Their recent home qualifying games have been low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in six of the previous eight outings.

The visitors have already sealed their place in next year's African Cup of Nations, as they are five points clear of bottom of the group Malawi.

Guinea’s recent good form in AFCON qualifiers ended last time out, as group winners Egypt defeated them 2-1. The result ended a three-game winning run in African Cup of Nations qualifying.

Their recent qualifiers have been relatively low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in seven of their last ten outings.

Guinea ended a six-game winless run in African Cup of Nations qualifying by recording a 3-2 victory at Ethiopia in their last away game in qualifiers.

Malawi have been hard to beat lately, while Guinea’s recent form has been inconsistent. I believe this will be a low-scoring encounter, so I am backing under 2.5 goals scored.