Mali vs Burkina Faso – Match Preview, Prediction, Betting Tips, 30/01/2024

These predictions for the Mali vs Burkina Faso clash were made by Bookmaker Ratings. For more predictions on the NPFL, UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, Premier League, Bundesliga, Serie A, La Liga and other European football leagues, visit our Football Predictions & Betting Tips page.

Prediction on Mali vs Burkina Faso

For this all West African round of 16 tie, featuring Mali vs Burkina Faso we will be going for 1-1 draw, as both teams look evenly matched. We absolutely do not expect a repeat of the 3-1 scoreline in 2004, as Burkina Faso have come a long way and both teams are not far apart in ranking at all, with Mali having started the tournament at number 51 and Burkina Faso 57, both teams occupying the ninth and tenth spot in Africa respectively.

A team associated with tight matches as is common in AFCON games as well, Mali have seen their last ten games in the tournament recording few goals, with their last ten games each recording less than three goals. With Mali also keeping clean sheets in all but one of their group games, we expect few goals.

Match Preview: Mali vs Burkina Faso

Both teams legitimately qualified for the knockout stages, with Mali having the better fortune having amassed five points from their three games to secure first place in group E. Their three goals scored in three games while not a proof of attacking proficiency, they do have a reliable defense who have conceded just one in three. And they will be looking to that strength as they hope to go past the round of 16 after back to back losses to Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea at the same stage in the last two tournaments.

Burkina Faso finished second in a very difficult group, having to go against Algeria and Angola, they did manage to secure four points though, a tally that has propelled them to the next stage of the competition where they will look to exact revenge against a team that beat them in this same tournament in 2004. They must be wary of their defense though, having let in four goals in just three, especially going up against a team that doesn’t let in many.

Predicted Starting Lineups

Mali: Diarra, Sacko, Niakate, Kouyate, Traore, Dieng, Bissouma, Haidara, Doumbia, Sinayoko, Koita

Burkina Faso: Koffi, Guiebre, Ouedraogo, Yago, Tapsoba, Bande, Ki, Dayo, Toure, Ouattara, Badolo.