Equatorial Guinea head into their fixture with Mauritania needing all three points to give them the best chance of progressing through to the next round of World Cup qualifying.
Their hosts have already been confirmed as finishing in bottom place in Group B having collected just one point from five games.
Match preview
After losing heavily to Tunisia on matchday one, it was difficult to envisage that Equatorial Guinea would make a sustained push for qualification to the final round.
However, the National Thunder got their revenge on Saturday, running out 1-0 victors over the the group leaders to move level on points at the top.
While Tunisia's superior head-to-head record and goal difference gives them a clear advantage, Equatorial Guinea need to take care of their end of the bargain and hope for a favour from Zambia.
Remarkably, Equatorial Guinea have acquired 10 points without having any of their squad netting more than once, Juan Micha's side benefitting from conceding just once in four outings.
At a time when there is a sense of anticipation in the Equatorial Guinea ranks, the same cannot be said about Mauritania after a run of poor form.
To their credit, they have had their moments in Group B, particularly last month when they earned a goalless draw at home to Tunisia.
Nevertheless, Gerard Buscher's team have now gone 381 minutes without finding the back of the net, that streak lasting since their consolation goal against Zambia on matchday one.
Having lost to the same opponents by a 4-0 scoreline on Saturday, Buscher will hope that his squad are motivated to restore some pride in Nouakchott.
- W
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- D
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- W
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Team News
After their comprehensive defeat last time out, Buscher will almost certainly make a number of changes to his Mauritania side.
El Hassen Houeibib, Lemrabott El Hacen and Mamadou Niass all appear in line to be handed an opportunity in the team.
Equatorial Guinea will be forced into at least one change after Basilio Ndong was withdrawn during the early stages against Tunisia.
Miguel Angel Maye is most likely to start for the visitors, while Emilio Nsue is also pushing to feature on the right-hand side.
Mauritania possible starting lineup:
Diop; Lembrabott, Abeid, N'Diaye, Houeibib, Ba, Dellahi, Soueid, Thiam, Niass, Kamara
Equatorial Guinea possible starting lineup:
Owono; Akapo, Obiang, Ndong, Coco, Belima, Ganet, Machin, Bikoro, Salvador, Siafa
We say: Mauritania 1-2 Equatorial Guinea
With no pressure on Mauritania, they have the potential to produce their best performance of the group. Nevertheless, we still expect the visitors to prevail from this contest, possibly by the odd goal in three.
Darren Plant
