The Olympic men’s football tournament kicks off with an intriguing Group D clash as Mali’s under-23 side faces Israel at the iconic Parc des Princes in Paris. Both teams will be eager to start their campaign on a high note in this crucial opener.
Lineups, Injury and Team News
Mali’s head coach Alou Badra Diallo has a talented squad at his disposal. Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Boubacar Traore is expected to be a key figure in the center of the park. He could be partnered with Bordeaux’s Issouf Sissokho, forming a formidable midfield duo. Up front, the partnership of Mahamadou Diarra and Wilson Samake from Rennes looks promising.
Israel, on the other hand, has been dealt a significant blow with the injury to their first-choice goalkeeper and captain, Daniel Peretz. The shot-stopper has been ruled out of the tournament due to a partial tear in his quadriceps muscle. Niv Eliasi is likely to step up between the sticks in Peretz’s absence.
However, Israel’s attack has received a boost with the return of Tottenham Hotspur winger Manor Solomon. After a 10-month layoff due to a knee injury, Solomon made a 45-minute appearance in a recent friendly. His presence, along with Charlotte FC star Liel Abada and Red Bull Salzburg’s Oscar Gloukh, could provide the creative spark Israel needs.
Mali U23 Predicted Lineups (4-4-2): Doucoure, Sangare, Cisse, Diakite, Soumaoro, Samake, Sissoko, B. Diarra, Soumare, Traore, L. Diarra
Israel U23 Predicted Lineups (4-2-3-1): Feingold, Solomon, Revivo, Turgeman, Azoulay, Gandelman, Goldberg, Eliasi, Lemkin, Gloukh, Abada
Where to Watch
Fans in the United States can catch the action live on Peacock and Universo. The match kicks off at 8:00 PM local time in Paris on July 24, 2024.
Form Guide and Head-to-Head
Mali enters the tournament in good form, having won their last three friendlies. They secured victories against the Mali U20s (2-0 and 1-0) and French fourth-tier side Football Club 93 Bobigny (3-0).
Israel’s recent form has been a mixed bag. After a string of six consecutive losses across all competitions, they managed to secure a crucial 2-0 win against Maccabi Petah Tikva in their final warm-up match.
This will be the first-ever meeting between Mali U23 and Israel U23 at this level, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the encounter.
Group D Standings
The match marks the beginning of Group D, which also includes Japan and Paraguay. All teams start on equal footing, making this opening fixture crucial for setting the tone for the rest of the group stage.
Prediction and Predicted Score
Given Mali’s recent form and the strength of their midfield, they might have a slight edge going into this encounter. However, Israel’s attacking prowess cannot be underestimated, especially with the return of Manor Solomon.
The match promises to be a closely contested affair, with both teams likely to adopt a cautious approach in their tournament opener. Mali’s solid defensive record in recent friendlies could prove crucial, but Israel’s creative attackers have the potential to cause problems.
A narrow victory for Mali or a hard-fought draw seems the most likely outcome. Based on the teams’ recent performances and the importance of the opening game, we predict a tight contest ending in a 2-1 victory for Mali.
Mali U23 vs Israel U23 Lineups Prediction: Mali Under-23s 2-1 Israel Under-23s
Regardless of the result, this match sets the stage for an exciting Olympic football tournament in Paris, with both teams looking to make their mark on the global stage.
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