Algeria hopes to keep them selves floating on top of Group J table as they host Ethiopia at Stade Mustapha Tchaker in the city of Blida on Friday in their match of Africa Cup of Nations 2017 qualifiers.
Ethiopia are second in the group table with 4 points after 2 matches and sees this clash as a perfect opportunity to mount an upset and go ahead of group leaders Algeria, who are on 6 points.
Form comparison
Both teams are unbeaten in their group, but Algeria has won the previous 2 games played while Ethiopia has won 1 and drew 1.
Algeria have also won 3 of their last 5 games lost 1 and drawn 2. They have also scored at least a goal in their last 5 games.
Ethiopia have also won 4 of their last 5 games and have scored at least 2 goals in 4 of their last 5 games.
Algeria: Team News
Algeria’s head-coach Christian Gourcuff has an abundance of attacking talents at his disposal in the form of Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez, Porto midfielder Yacine Brahimi, Valencia’s Sofiane Feghouli and Sporting CP striker Islam Slimani for this tie.
Looking at the type of players he called up for this match, it is very evident that the Desert Warriors are looking for all three points at Blida on Friday.
Algeria: Predicted Line up (4-2-3-1)
M’Bolhi – Medjani, Mandi, Zeffane , Ghoulam- Mesloub, Taider – Brahimi, Mahrez, Feghouli – Slimani
Ethiopia: Team News
Ethiopia national team coach Yohannes Sahle is dealt with a blow as his star striker Saladin Said has turned down the call-up to the national squad due to lack of appearance for his club.
To make things worse, the Walia ibex will be without captain Seyoum Tesfaye and forward Tafese Tesfaye, who are sidelined due to their respective injuries.
Ethiopia: Predicted line-up (4-4-2)
Getenet – Delsho, Girma, Anteneh Tesfaye, Tamene – Ponam, Assefa, Bekele, Belay – Kebede, Fikadu.
Algeria vs Ethiopia: Head-To-Head Stats
Previous Meetings:
Algeria 3-1 Ethiopia (15-11-2014)
Ethiopia 1-2 Algeria (06-09-2014)
Both Teams have only played twice which was the 2014 AFCON qualifiers, Algeria won the 2 games comfortably and score at least 2 goals in each of the match.
Algeria vs Ethiopia: Prediction
Algeria are in better shape than Ethiopia and are clear favourites to win this one and extend their lead at the top of the table. With the likes of Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez and Sporting Lisbon striker Slimani at their side, goals are expected.
The match is likely to witness 2 or more goals and there is a good chance to see goals at both ends. I predict a win for the home side with 2 goal Margin and full time score prediction is Algeria 3-1 Ethiopia.
Algeria v Ethiopia – Statistical Betting Prediction
Source: http://leaguelane.com/
