Benin vs Mauritania — Tips & Analysis

Mauritania +0.25: Mauritania are a hard team to beat by much, and that is the case for backing them here. They have lost by 2 or more goals just twice in their last 10 games. They also let in less than a goal a game, so Benin will have to work for whatever they get. Benin have won 4, tied 4 and lost 5 of their last 13 games. They score less than a goal a game and have won by 2 or more only once in that run. They opened the group with a 1-1 tie away at Burkina Faso. Mauritania arrive in good shape. They beat Central African Republic 3-1 last time out and have had a day more rest, 5 days to 4. Only 2 of their last 10 games had 3 or more goals, so they know how to keep a night quiet. Neither attack does much, and that is the story of this game. A 1-0 Benin win is the single most likely score, and that does beat this pick. We need Mauritania to avoid losing, and their defending makes that a genuine shot. The worry sits at the other end. Mauritania have scored once in four away trips, so they may not find the goal they need. This is a close call rather than a strong one, but we still want Mauritania to hold on.