As the World Cup edges closer, we continue our run down of all 32 competing nations in Russia.
After analysing Group G favourites Belgium and England, it’s time to turn our attentions to Tunisia.
The Eagles are gearing up for their first World Cup since 2006, which marked the end of three consecutive qualifications for international football's showpiece tournament.
Unfortunately for Nabil Maaloul, who oversaw the final four games of Tunisia’s straightforward CAF qualification group, they have been handed a rotten draw.
Tunisia have only won one of their nine previous matches at the World Cup, but will at least have the chance to improve on that record when they face Panama in Group G.
However, the problem Tunisia face is that they are also in a group with Belgium and England, who are expected to finish in the top two.
England’s performances at recent major tournaments suggest it’s not a foregone conclusion they will progress from the group, but anything other than a top-two finish would still be a real shock.
Therefore, it will be up to Tunisia to secure third place in the group, although they will not be pushovers for the likes of Belgium and England.
Maaloul has at his disposal a few players that can either hurt opponents or inhibit them from enjoying great success.
Naim Sliti, for example, played a direct hand in 13 goals in Ligue 1 for Dijon last season, finishing the campaign strongly.
Not only that, but of players that attempted at least 100 dribbles in Europe’s top five leagues last term, only Eden Hazard had a better success rate than Sliti (80%).
The 25-year-old is expected to start on the left flank for Tunisia, which means he will be up against the likes of Kieran Trippier and Thomas Meunier when they play England and Belgium, respectively.
With Sliti providing creativity, Anice Badri will hope to finish Tunisia’s chances and continue his recent purple patch of form, having scored in each of their World Cup preparation games.
While Sliti will be Tunisia’s main focus of attack, Montpellier’s Ellyes Skhiri will be deployed in central midfield, tasked with breaking up opposition attacks.
The 23-year-old has a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of ‘ball interception’, which should stand the defensive midfielder in good stead in Russia. In fact, only three Ligue 1 players completed more interceptions than Skhiri last season (77).
Tunisia’s World Cup campaign may only span three matches but they are not to be underestimated. They should at least give Belgium and England something to think about, while they should target a win over Panama.
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