Madagascar vs Malawi Predictions & Tips - Goals to come at a premium in COSAFA Cup

Tolu Shotade

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Last updated: 05 Jul 2021

Tolu Shotade 05 Jul 2021

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Madagascar vs Malawi Predictions, Preview, Tips & Team News
The COSAFA Cup Group B clash is being played at 14.00 BST on Wednesday
Malawi have seen under 2.5 goals in their last three matches.
Smart money on under 2.5 goals in Port Elizabeth

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Malawi (Getty Images)

Madagascar vs Malawi Preview

Madagascar and Malawi are not exactly packed with plenty of attacking quality and could serve up a low scoring encounter. My best bet is for the match to produce under 2.5 goals.

Madagascar have failed to score in their last two matches
Madagascar and Malawi have seen under 2.5 goals in their last two meetings
Malawi have seen under 2.5 goals in their last two matches

Head to Head

Madagascar have never lost to Malawi, winning both of their previous matches. The most recent meeting was a 1-0 victory during the 2017 African Nations Championship.

Madagascar Form

Madagascar have had it tough in 2021, failing to win any of their matches this year. Their poor run actually stretches back to 2020 and they are winless in their last six matches and will not be competing at next year’s AFCON in Cameroon.

Their first fixture in 2021 was a 4-0 defeat to Ethiopia in an AFCON qualifying clash in March. They followed that up with a 0-0 draw against Niger Republic in another AFCON qualifier.

One of the major problems for Madagascar is a lack of goals in the team as they have failed to score more than one goal in each of their last six matches and are without a goal in their last two.

Madagascar Squad & Team News

Goalkeepers: Ibrahima Dabo, Mathyas Randriamamy, Melvin Adrien

Defenders: Ando Rakotondrazaka, Rajo Razafindrabe, Pascal Razakanantenaina, Mamy Gervais, Jerome Mombris, Romaine Metanire, Sylvio Ouassiero.

Midfielders: Tsito Razafindrasata, Ibrahim Amada, Dimitry Caloin, Andriamirado Andrianarimanana, Lalaina Nomenjanahary, Leicester Lapoussin, Njiva Rakotoharimalala, Pauline Vaovy, Andrea, Zout.

Strikers: Hakim Abdallah, Ima Andriatsima, Alexandre Ramalingom

Madagascar have no injuries ahead of Wednesday’s Group B opener.

Ibrahima Dabo is likely to start at the back while Mamy Gervais could be given the nod in central defence. Ima Andriatsima is expected to lead the line for Madagascar on Wednesday.

Malawi Form

Malawi have had a better 2021 than Madagascar, although they are often plagued by inconsistency. They have claimed two wins and suffered two defeats from their four matches this year.

The Flames began the year with a 4-0 defeat to Ethiopia in a friendly in March. They then recovered to claim back-to-back 1-0 victories against South Sudan and Uganda in the AFCON qualifiers to book their place in the tournament in Cameroon before suffering a 2-0 defeat to Tanzania.

The Malawians are not particularly exciting in attack but have found a way to balance things out by being tight at the back. They have kept clean sheets in two of their last three matches.

Malawi Squad & Team News

Goalkeepers: Ernest Kakhobwe, William Thole

Defenders: Stanly Sanudi, Dennis Chembezi, Nickson Nyasulu, Nickson Mwase, Mark Fodya.

Midfielders: Rafiq Namwera, Chimwemwe Idana, Chikoti Chirwa, Tawonga Chimodzi, Mike Mkwate, Micium Mhone, Ndaziona Chatsalira, Vitumbiko Kumwenda

Strikers: Zicco Mkanda, Muhamad Sulumba, Maxwell Phodo, Schumacher Kuwali, Khuda Muyaba.

Defender Nickson Mwase had a COVID-19 scare on the eve of the competition but has now been cleared and is likely to feature on Wednesday.

Malawian Super League leading scorer Maxwell Phodo is also expected to lead the line for the Flames.

Verdict

Both teams are not particularly convincing in attack and should produce a low scoring contest on Wednesday. However, the Malawians have looked slightly better and can be backed to claim the win.

Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals

Value Bet: Malawi win to nil

Correct Score Tip: Malawi win 1-0

Odds will be available shortly