Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the World Cup qualifying match.
Tunisia lead Group H with authority, have not conceded across six matches, and aim to cement the top spot. Liberia sit in the top three, but their play-off hopes largely hinge on the outcome of this fixture.
Tunisia
Tunisia’s campaign has been close to flawless: five wins and one draw, nine scored and none conceded. Sami Trabelsi returned as head coach in February. Tunisia have prioritised a disciplined defence and a low-risk approach in attack. In their last 10 competitive matches they have suffered only three defeats, while qualifying has brought a run of six clean sheets. Head-to-head against Liberia also favours Tunisia: four wins and one defeat.
Liberia
Liberia are third with 10 points (three wins, one draw, two defeats). A 1:0 loss to Equatorial Guinea was overturned and recorded as a 3:0 forfeit win by FIFA after the opponent’s administrative error. Defensive issues remain, with four goals conceded across the last six qualifiers. Liberia lost 1:0 to Tunisia in March, conceding early yet making a contest of it.
Tunisia vs Liberia Prediction
The gulf in class is noticeable. Tunisia are pragmatic, control the tempo and defend rigorously. Liberia look vulnerable, though work-rate and compact play in midfield can restrict the squad’s attacking output. A high-scoring match appears unlikely: both sides lean towards caution, and Tunisia rarely win by big margins.
