All eyes will be on the Stade de la Paix as Algeria and Angola clash at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023). Which of these teams will come out on top at the end of this match?
Algeria vs Angola overview
This Group D clash will be played on Monday January 15, kick-off is set for 9 pm WAT.
Algeria
After winning this event in 2019, Algeria's title defence didn't go as well as they had hoped, as they crashed out in the group stages of AFCON 2021.
Djamel Belmadi's troops have been one of the best teams in the continent these past couple of years. Anything other than a semi-final run would be a disappointing outing for the Fennec Foxes.
Angola
On the other hand, Angola have never won an AFCON title, nor reached the semi-finals. As it stands, the Palancas Negras have two quarter-final appearances, in 2008 and 2010. They will hope to reach the last four for the first time in history.
Algeria vs Angola head to head
Algeria and Angola first met in 1985, at the qualifying rounds of the 1986 FIFA World Cup. They've squared off against each other on nine occasions, with three of those meetings taking place at the AFCON.
As it stands, six of nine skirmishes between these outfits ended in stalemates, Algeria have two wins while Angola have one.
Interestingly, the last time these teams met was at the 2010 AFCON, where they played out a goalless draw. Angola are also unbeaten in the last four meetings between these teams.
Algeria vs Angola potential lineups
Djamel Belmadi adopted the 4-3-3 formation in his team's last three matches, and considering they won all of those games, it makes sense to use the same formation. Riyad Mahrez Islam Slimani and Farès Chaïbi will lead the charge for the Fennecs.
On the other hand, Pedro Goncalves has experimented with a few different formations in Angola's most recent games. The Palancas Negras are expected to line up in a 4-5-1 formation, with Mabululu being the lone forward.
With that being said, these are our probable Algeria vs Angola lineups:
Algeria
Goalkeeper: Anthony Mandrea.
Defenders: Youcef Atal, Ramy Bensebaini, Aïssa Mandi, Aït Nouri.
Midfielders: Sofiane Feghouli, Nabil Bentaleb, Ismaël Bennacer.
Forwards: Riyad Mahrez, Islam Slimani, Farès Chaïbi.
Angola
Goalkeeper: Neblú.
Defenders: To Carneiro, Jonathan Buatu, Kialonda Gaspar, Loide Augusto.
Midfielders: Manuel Keliano, Show, Fredy, Zito Luvumbo, Milson.
Forwards: Mabululu.
Algeria vs Angola tactical analysis
These teams are on opposite sides when it comes to recent form.
On one hand, Angola are coming off three consecutive goalless draws, with their last four games ending in stalemates. They also have no wins in their last six games across all competitions.
While Goncalves' troops have done a fairly good job defensively, keeping four clean sheets in their last six matches, they've found it difficult to score.
As a matter of fact, Angola blanked in five of their last six matches, with just one goal scored in that six-game stretch.
In contrast, Algeria have won four matches in a row, and are unbeaten in their last 12 games. They've scored a whopping 18 goals in their last six matches alone, and did not concede in their last three games.
Algeria vs Angola prediction
This will likely be a low-scoring affair, considering both teams did not concede any goals in their last three respective matches.
Taking into account how both teams have fared in recent months, it's no surprise that Algeria are the clear favourites to win this match. They've been really solid defensively, whilst scoring three goals per game on average in their last six matches.
Considering Angola scored just once in their last six games, we are leaning towards the Fennec Foxes for the victory. That said, our prediction for this game is Algeria to win.
Where to watch Algeria vs Angola live
Fans from Algeria can catch all the action live on beIN Sports 1 AFCON, ENTV and beIN Sports Max 1, 2 & 3.
On the other hand, this match will be available on Girassol TV, TPA 2 and AfroSport TV for those who reside in Angola.
