Prediction: Senegal vs Algeria

Prediction: Both teams to score and Senegal to win.

Odds: 4/1

Bookmaker: Bet365

The African Cup of Nations continues on Thursday evening as two of the tournament’s favourites, Senegal and Algeria, clash at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo.

Both sides made a perfect start in Group C and will look to edge closer to the knockout rounds with another victory.

Senegal

By defeating Tanzania 2-0 in their opening group game of the tournament last week, Senegal were able to extend a stunning run of form under current manager Aliou Cissé. The Teranga Lions have won their last seven games in all competitions. In that time they also only conceded one goal and even that came in the 2-1 friendly victory against Mali. Only throughout the 2016/17 campaign did they embark on a similar run of form. Should they continue that, they will surely be one of the favourites to claim the tournament crown for the first time in the country’s history. Should they do that, it would be quite the feat considering their recent history in the African Cup of Nations in which they have been eliminated in the group stages in three out of their last four appearances.

Team News

Liverpool forward Sadio Mane should return for the clash with Algeria having missed his nation’s opening win through suspension. In the highly unlikely event that he not be selected, the team is blessed with plenty of attacking talent in the form of Ismaila Sarr and Keita Balde, amongst others.

Algeria

Goals from Baghdad Bounedjah and Riyad Mahrez were enough to see Algeria also start the tournament with a relatively straight forward 2-0 victory over Kenya. They will hope to build on that and possibly lift only their second ever AFCON title. Their recent record at the tournament is not exactly inspiring though having been eliminated at the group stage on two out of their last three appearances. Having said that, their recent form under Djamel Belmadi does give reason to be optimistic. The Fennec Foxes have only lost one out of their last ten games in all competitions and have won their last two. The nation have not won three consecutive matches since 2015. As a matter of fact, they have not won back-to-back matches at the same AFCON tournament since the group stages of the 1996 edition.

Team News

Whilst Algeria are not quite blessed with the same attacking talent as their upcoming opponents, they still have a few players recognisable to supporters of the Premier League. Manchester City record signing Riyad Mahrez is the star man on the team and would be more than capable of causing Senegal a few problems alongside the highly-rated Yacine Brahimi. Islam Slimani, who has had a wretched spell on loan at Fenerbache from Leicester City, is also included. However, there are also a few notable absentees with Faouzi Ghoulam, Nabil Bentaleb and Ishak Belfodil all out through injury.

Key Facts To Consider

• Algeria have the far better all-time record between the two sides (W12, D5, L4)
• The last AFCON meeting between the two ended 2-2 in 2017
• Islam Slimani scored a brace the last time the two sides met
• Algeria have never lost an AFCON clash between the two
• Senegal are on a stunning run of form having won seven games in a row

Conclusion

The match itself should be great watch considering the talent that both teams possess and the form that they each find themselves in at the current time. Senegal of course will be hugely confident in claiming another fantastic victory. However, they will also be cautiously aware of Algeria’s hold over the nation at the tournament. Senegal could though cause a huge upset.

Prediction: Both teams to score and Senegal to win.

Odds: 4/1

Bookmaker: Bet365