Match preview: Tshinkunku faces a mountain to climb in Kananga
Two teams with very different momentum collide at Stade des Jeunes de Katoka on 18/12/2025 as Tshinkunku host TP Mazembe in Super Ligue action. The home side arrives with a mixed run of results: a recent 4-0 reverse to Saint Eloi Lupopo and a 2-1 defeat away to Simba have dented confidence. Tshinkunku’s group campaign shows a single draw and just one point so far, and their recent form string — a rollercoaster of wins, draws and losses — underlines the inconsistency that will trouble coach and fans alike. Their home numbers hint at struggles in front of goal and a comparatively porous defensive record away from their best days.
TP Mazembe, conversely, arrive in commanding form. Winners in four of their last five fixtures and unbeaten in the majority of their recent games, Mazembe top the group with 26 points, boasting a +20 goal difference across the campaign. Their road record is strong: 15 goals scored away and only four conceded on the road, with seven clean sheets overall. That kind of defensive resilience and attacking efficiency explains why they arrive as clear favorites. The head-to-head history also tilts the narrative toward the visitors: a 3-0 win for Mazembe earlier this year reinforces the expectation that they know how to impose themselves against Tshinkunku.
Tactical context and what to expect on the night
Expect TP Mazembe to control possession and probe for openings while Tshinkunku will likely sit deeper, looking to find moments on the counter. Given Mazembe’s tendency to convert chances and keep the scoreboard tidy — and Tshinkunku’s struggles to maintain defensive solidity in recent fixtures — the pattern of the match could be one of pressure from the visitors and limited, dangerous transitions from the hosts. Over/under bettors should note that both teams have seen a fair share of matches move into the over-2.5 territory this season, but the safer read remains the away side’s ability to prevent high-scoring shootouts thanks to multiple clean sheets.
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Betting suggestion TP Mazembe to win (1X2) — the stats are emphatic: form, away scoring, defensive solidity and a recent 3-0 H2H all point to an away victory. This is the clearest single-market play given the available data.
