Algeria vs Guinea Predictions

Algeria are out to repeat their success of 1990 as they kick off their campaign in the knockout round of the Africa Cup of Nations. They made it this far following a great run in the group stage, but now it gets serious for the side who consistently flatter to deceive. They’ll be out to deal with decades of expectation when they meet Guinea this weekend, but the Greens are heavy favourites to book their spot in the last eight.

Algeria have been coming up short at this tournament for years, following their decade at the top of African football. They made the semis five times between 1980 and 1990, making the final in 1980 and finally winning the trophy in 1990. Since then, a single fourth-placed finish is all they could muster. Their record is now littered with group stage exits, while they failed to qualify three times between 2006 and 2012. However, they now have a squad capable of going all the way.

The Greens are built around Man City’s Riyad Mahrez, while Napoli’s Adam Ounas has already scored two goals at this tournament. They’ve got talent both in attack and defence, while they’ve now got a link between the two in Empoli’s Ismael Bennacer. That’s brought a fresh edge to this Algeria side, while they’ve done enough early on. Algeria have won all three games at this tournament, pulling it off without conceding a goal. Can they add to that with a win in their first knockout clash?

Guinea made it out of Group B with four points, thanks to beating Burundi on the final day. They are coming into this one without star Naby Keita, who picked up an injury which has ruled him out of the competition. They are a different side without Keita, as the midfielders energy really makes the difference for this side. Without him, we struggle to see them matching up to a team of Algeria’s talent without the Liverpool man.

Algeria should have enough about them to see off Guinea this weekend. The Greens won 6-0 on aggregate across their group games. We expect another impressive display from them in Cairo. Given that Guinea have won just one of their last eight matches in the Africa Cup of Nations we expect them to struggle. Algeria are well priced despite the gulf between them, so we’re going with a victory for the Greens here.