Algeria Lack the Firepower to Get Out of Group C

Algeria will look to shock the world and pull an upset in Group C but Al isn’t convinced.

How they got here
By beating the odds. Algeria was ranked outside the top 12 teams in Africa for the first group stage meaning the North African nation was only a second seed behind Senegal. Algeria overcame defeats on the road to Senegal and Gambia by winning all three home games.  That saw Les Fennecs narrowly secure top spot and a place in the second group stage.

Egypt, the reigning Cup of African Nations Champions, stood between Algeria and a place in South Africa. A home win over the Pharaohs early in the group stage gave Algeria the advantage. Even after winning their next three games the return game in Cairo would prove crucial to deciding Les Fennecs’ qualification.

Tensions erupted before the game with the Algerian team bus being attacked, injuring three players, and riots following in subsequent days. The two nations blamed one another for the violence but on the field it was Egypt who won to force a playoff in Sudan. Once again there were clashes including reports of an attack on the Egyptian team bus but the rivalry on the field was finally settled with Algeria winning 1-0 to claim a place in the 2010 World Cup.

Who to watch
Les Fennecs have a squad brimming with experience from Europe’s top leagues. Nadir Belhadj of Portsmouth and Bochum’s Madjid Bougherra form the core of an experienced backline. The performance of these defenders is worth monitoring when considering World Cup betting. The experience of captain Yazid Mansouri and Wolfsburg’s Karim Ziani will prove vital in midfield. The lack of power up front is notable with none of Algeria’s current crop of strikers having proven their class in a major European league.

How they will perform
We learnt a lot about Algeria from its performances in the qualifiers and in the Cup of African Nations earlier this year. Les Fennecs showed consistently that they struggle to perform on the road and don’t fare all too well on a neutral site. While an upset of Cote d’Ivoire in the Cup of African Nations quarter finals proved Algeria can spring a surprise, the three losses suffered by Les Fennecs in that tournament don’t inspire confidence.

Algeria could win its opening game in Group C against Slovenia but after that I can’t see Les Fennecs faring too well. England will have far too much power up front for them and I expect the USA to have little difficulty with Algeria in what should prove a decisive last game in the group. Bet against Algeria making it to the knockout stages.

For the best World Cup odds as the countdown to the 2010 World Cup continues check out Sports Interaction’s online sports book.