Palestine vs Tunisia prediction, H2H and probable lineups — December 4, 2025
In the second round of the Arab Cup group stage, Palestine will square off against Tunisia. The clash is set for Lusail on Thursday, December 4, with kick-off scheduled for 15:30 Central European Time. I'm backing a bet on goals in this encounter.
Match preview
Palestine approaches the second round in a challenging situation. The team has endured an inconsistent year, delivering unstable performances both in World Cup qualifiers and friendlies.
At the end of November, Palestine edged Libya in the Arab Cup qualifiers only after a penalty shootout. However, in the group stage opener, they pulled off a genuine upset by defeating the tournament hosts, Qatar. The Palestinians converted perhaps their only real chance to snatch a narrow victory.
It's worth noting that the team often struggles to control the tempo, and a lack of consistent finishing remains a major issue. Still, they make up for it with tremendous work rate and discipline.
Palestine’s main objective in the upcoming match will be to contain their opponent’s attacking threats. Against Tunisia—a side operating at a much higher level—it will be tough for Palestine to enjoy long spells of possession. Therefore, expect them to focus on compact defending, fast counter-attacks, and making the most of any rare opportunities.
Tunisia enters the match as one of the favorites not just of the group, but of the entire tournament. The team delivered a powerful World Cup qualifying campaign, playing a brand of football defined by slick combinations, aggression, and tactical discipline.
Tunisia has long been one of the most consistent national teams in the region, thanks to a strong generation of players and impressive squad depth. Coach Trabelsi hasn’t brought the most star-studded lineup to this tournament due to various factors, but even this roster should be enough to compete for top honors.
In their Arab Cup opener, Tunisia looked confident and created plenty of chances. Their trademark high pressing forced opponents into mistakes deep in their own half. However, their finishing let them down, resulting in a shock defeat to Syria.
The team boasts several players capable of producing moments of individual brilliance, making Tunisia the favorite not just in this fixture, but in the group as a whole. There's no room for error now—another slip-up could cost them a spot in the playoffs. All signs point to an aggressive and attacking display from the North Africans.
Match facts
- Palestine has kept a clean sheet in two consecutive matches.
- Tunisia has won just one of their last four games.
- Palestine averages 0.6 goals per game, while Tunisia averages 1.7 goals per game.
Probable lineups
- Palestine: Hamadeh, Nabhan, Mahayna, Termanini, Saleh, Saba, Hamdan, Zeidan, Al-Battat, Kunbar, Seyam.
- Tunisia: Damen, Meriah, Haddadi, Sahraoui, Neffati, Maaloul, Sassi, Ben Romdhane, Garbi, Layouni, Chaouat.
H2H
The sides have met just once before, in a 2009 friendly that Tunisia won 3-0.
Prediction
Given the form, squad quality, and international experience, Tunisia are the clear favorites here. Expect the Tunisians to control the tempo and carve out a decisive advantage, but Palestine will fight back with counters and set-pieces. My bet is the victory of the African national team.
