Tanzania vs Algeria Predictions

Algeria have already booked their place in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations, while they’ve got Group C wrapped up. They are currently top of the pile, three points ahead of Senegal and Kenya – two sides they’ve already beaten. That means that Algeria have already secured their place in the next round as group winners, as neither of those two can edge them out on head to head record. With little to play for, how will Algeria do as the group stage wraps up?

Tanzania have kicked off their campaign with defeats to Senegal and Kenya. They’re on course to depart the tournament without a point, but can they edge out an Algeria side who have little to play for? The Taifa Stars are coming into this one with only one victory in their last six matches. They lost out in a thriller in midweek, going down 3-2 to Kenya. However, we struggle to see the same goal-filled game between these two.

Algeria are still basking in the glow of their 1-0 win over Senegal in the previous round. That was a clash between two of the tournament favourites, so to see off their rivals in that fashion has to bode well for Algeria. The Group C leaders have won this tournament just once – back as hosts in 1990. That was part of a golden run for them which included five runs to the semis in six appearances at this competition. Since then, they’ve made the finals just one in almost 30 years.

Algeria will continue their bid for glory in the next round, but it’s likely to go on hold here. With top spot wrapped up, they have nothing to play for. That means resting the strongest side, which we expect to cost them going forward. Algeria have recorded 2-0 and 1-0 wins so far, which wouldn’t have gone quite so well had they left out their first choice forward options. Will that cause them problems against Tanzania this week?

The outsiders haven’t got much by the way of attacking force themselves. They lost 2-0 to Senegal in their opener, failing to score in any of their away qualifying matches. Algeria have back to back wins to nil behind them – so they should hold off this shy Tanzania attack – but with little motivation to win the game we see Algeria holding back. Under 2.5 goals is our tip, which has landed in six of Algeria’s last seven matches. After a remarkably low-scoring tournament so far, going against goals seems like a smart move.