Mauritania are set to face Senegal on Sunday at the Stade Cheikha Ould Boidiya.
Amir Abdou's Mauritania have picked up one point from their last three matches while Senegal have picked up five points. Senegal are currently the second in group B while Mauritania are at the bottom of the group table.
Mauritania put up a fight in the Africa Cup of Nations but Abdou has been unable to lead his side to secure positive results so far in this tournament.
Mauritania successfully went through the group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in the country's history having defeated 2019 Champions Algeria 1-0 in their final group game.
However, Mauritania have failed to build on that success, they have failed to score or secure a win in their last three competitive and non competitive fixtures.
Senegal go into this match after they drew with Democratic Republic of Congo. Senegal were without Sadio Mane but could have taken all the three points if Nicolas Jackson converted his chance to double Senegal's lead.
Senegal were seeking for a seventh straight home win in the World Cup qualifying matches but were denied by Fitson Mayele's 85th minute goal. The game ended 1-1.
Senegal are two points behind group B leaders Sudan. Senegal have little margin for error if they aim to avoid failure and make it to the 2026 World Cup as qualifying nears its half way point.
Team News
Having made four half time changes against Sudan, multiple changes are expected to be made in the Mauritania starting line up.
Aboubakary Koita is expected to start, his incredible ball striking skills mean he can score from difficult angles.
Marseille forward Ismaila Sarr is expected to stay in the Senegal starting line up due to Sadio Mane's absence.
Nicolas Jackson, Iliman Ndiaye and Habib Diallo could be pressured to perform better than they did in the last match.
Mauritania's organisation and intensity makes them a genuine threat to Senegal despite picking up only one point from three games.
However, Senegal's individual quality and the need to secure maximum points to avoid falling further behind gives them an added incentive to win the match on Sunday.
Mauritania possible starting lineup: Niasse; Abd, Yali, Ba, Diaw, Mouhsine, Fofana, Mahmoud, Kamara, Amar, Koita
Senegal possible starting lineup: Mendy, Seck, Koulibaly, Niakhate, I. Sarr, Gueye, P. Sarr, Diarra; Diallo, Jackson, Ndiaye
