TP Mazembe vs Al Ahly Prediction: The Ravens must get it right on their ground, as there might be no second chance

The quest to conquer the continent continues as TP Mazembe squares off against the most successful team in the history of the tournament, Al Ahly, at the Stade du TP Mazembe on Saturday in the first leg of the CAF Champions League Semi-Finals. Both teams have sixteen CAF Champions League trophies among themselves, and we expect nothing but a mouthwatering performance from the two teams. 

Last eight games: LWDWWLDW

TP Mazembe, who are the third most successful team in the CAF Champions League, booked their ticket to this round after displaying quality against Petro Luanda in the return leg of the quarterfinals. The reverse leg, which ended in a share of the spoils in Congo, was overridden when both teams came out to express themselves in the return leg. TP Mazembe scored twice to overturn the Petro Luanda first-half victory. 

The Ravens, who found themselves in one of the most challenging groups in the competition, exert their dominance by finishing in the second spot. 

TP Mazembe have won three and drawn one of their last four games on their ground. 

Last eight matches: WDDDWWWW

The Red Devils are the only side yet to taste defeat in this tournament, as they head here with a deserved victory over Simba SC. After their slim (0-1) victory over Simba SC in Tanzania, Al Ahly scored twice in Egypt to knock out the visitors. Al Ahly are the most successful team in the history of the tournament having won it eleven times, and are the defending champions. The Red Devils had a decent run in the group phase, winning three while losing three times. Unfortunately, Marcel Koller's men head here with a defeat against arch-rival Zamalek in their domestic league. 

Al Ahly are the most experienced team in this tournament; they know what they want, and they know how to go about getting it.

Al Ahly have been pretty solid in this tournament, winning five and sharing the spoils four times. They have been hit with injuries lately, which has left them in a very difficult position. The Red Devils are struggling at the back and lack a clinical frontman. At the same time, TP Mazembe are animals when they play on their ground and have won three and drawn once there. The Ravens have beaten Mamelodi Sundowns in the group stage, which would have given them the courage to beat any team on their ground. 

This is one of the biggest games in Africa, and Al Ahly are used to matches of this caliber. There are little or no chances for any visiting teams in Egypt, and for this reason, TP Mazembe must get the job done on their ground. We are trusting them to win either half against a solid Al Ahly side for 1.75.

We expect the hosts to get the first goal for 1.78.

We expect under 1.5 goals in both halves for 1.71.

Good luck!