Looking to pick up their first win of the campaign, Guinea play host to Guinea-Bissau at the Lansana Conte Stadium in Group I of the World Cup qualifiers on Friday.

With their hopes of progressing to the final qualifying round all but over, both sides will be playing for pride in this one and will look to return to winning ways.

Match preview

© Reuters

Guinea saw their hopes of progressing into the final qualifying round dashed on October 12, when they fell to a humbling 4-1 defeat at the hands of Morocco.

In a one-sided affair at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, after Mamadou Kane cancelled out Ayoub El Kaabi's opener on the half-hour mark, Selim Amallah netted a brace to put the Taifa Stars two goals up before substitute Sofiane Boufal completed the rout in the 89th minute.

Prior to that, Kaba Diawara's men were unbeaten in Group I, playing out three successive draws from their opening three games, including a thrilling 2-2 draw with Sudan on October 9, where both sides netted twice after the interval.

With three points from their opening four games, Guinea once again failed to clinch their first World Cup appearance as they are nine points adrift of group leaders Morocco, who have picked up four wins from four.

The Syli Nationale head into Friday's game unbeaten in all but one of their most recent six games across all competitions and while they will be playing for pride, Diawara will hope his side can quickly move on from the defeat last time out and begin his managerial stint on a winning note.

Meanwhile, after beginning their quest for a place in Qatar with four points from their opening two games, Guinea-Bissau came crashing back to earth as they were steamrolled 5-0 by a rampant Morocco side in the first of their two successive meetings on October 6.

Baciro Cande's men failed to return to winning ways three days later as they were beaten 3-0 by Vahid Halilhodzic's side when they welcomed them to the Stade Mohammed V.

In that encounter, Hatayspor forward Ayoub El Kaabi scored either side of Aymen Barkok's 20th-minute strike to hand the visitors their seventh win in all competitions.

Guinea-Bissau are currently second in Group I and while they will be looking to finish off on a strong note, next up is a familiar foe who have picked up eight wins and five draws from the most recent 17 meetings between the sides.

Team News

Having failed to guide Guinea to the final qualifying round, Didier Six was relieved of his duties as head coach last month with 45-year-old Kaba Diawara temporarily taking over the reins.

The former Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain forward has called up 24 players for their clash against Guinea-Bissau and Morocco, including Roma midfielder Amadou Diawara.

Meanwhile, Cande has named a 24-man squad for their final group games against Guinea on Sunday, including the midfield trio of Bura, Moreto Cassama and Pele.

Piqueti, who is currently tied on nine goals with Nando Co in the nation's all-time goalscoring chart, is a notable absentee from the squad.

In the absence of the Al Shoulla forward, we expect Vitoria de Setubal forward Frederic Mendy, who is third on the country's goalscoring chart, to handle business at the attacking end of the pitch.

Guinea possible starting lineup:
Keita; Sylla, Camara, Kante, Sylla; Camara, Kane, Diawara; Cisse; Soumah, Kante

Guinea-Bissau possible starting lineup:
Bono; Nanu, Sangante, Djalo, Cande; Cassama, Pele, Bura; Encada, Mendy, Teixeira

We say: Guinea 1-0 Guinea-Bissau

Despite the quality of players in their squad, Guinea have failed to impress in the qualifiers and are without a win. While they will fancy their chances against an opposing side who head into the game on the back of successive defeats at the hands of Morocco, we expect the visitors to put up a fight. We anticipate a cagey affair in this one with the hosts claiming a narrow victory.

Previews by email