Algeria vs Burkina Faso Prediction: Desert Foxes to go two for two

Algeria started their Afcon campaign with a comprehensive 3-0 win over 10-man Sudan, as star man Riyad Mahrez found the net twice. Next up the Desert Foxes face Burkina Faso (17:30 GMT, 4Seven), who completed a dramatic late comeback against Equatorial Guinea to win 2-1, with two goals in added time. 

Below then, you can find my Algeria vs Burkina Faso predictions as both teams hunt for maximum points. 

Team News

Vladimir Petkovic picked Luca Zidane in goal, and Zinedine’s son will keep his place in goal. His father watched on from the stands in the opener, while Rafik Belghali and Rayan Ait-Nouri will occupy the full-back positions. 

Experienced striker Baghdad Bournedjah could lead the line once again as he got the best out of Mahrez on the right wing, while Ibrahim Maza could come into the midfield after his goal from the bench, with Fares Chaibi likely to be replaced. 

Georgi Minoungou scored a crucial equaliser off the bench for Burkina Faso and should be rewarded with a start here in place of Hearts striker Pierre Landry Kabore. Captain Bertrand Traore will continue on the right wing, with Brentford’s Dango Ouattara on the left of an exciting front three. 

Algeria vs Burkina Faso Odds

Algeria are priced at 19/20 to win this one, giving them an implied win probability of 51%. Burkina Faso are the 16/5 outsiders, and a draw is 9/4. 

Over 2.5 goals is 5/4, BTTS is 1/1 and Algeria are 8/5 to be leading at half-time.

Algeria to win @ 19/20

Burkina Faso provided us with the most amount of drama in matchday one, somehow grabbing victory from the jaws of defeat. The nation ranked 62nd in the world now has a brilliant chance of qualifying for the knockout stage, but I do think they will come up short here. 

The 2019 winners, Algeria, are the third favourites to win the entire competition, behind hosts Morocco and Senegal, and I think they will go far. Mahrez was superb in that first game, while the likes of Ait-Nouri and Maza could play key roles. I think they should have enough to edge this one. 

BTTS @ 1/1

Burkina Faso may have left it late, but they generated an xG of 2.30 against Equatorial Guinea, which is impressive as they had five shots on target and created five big chances. They’ve got so much attacking quality that we have to expect them to trouble Algeria, who weren’t tested against Sudan.

Ouattara and Traore are difficult wingers to stop, so I’ll back both teams to score at a strong price, as I think this should be an end-to-end encounter. 

Click here for the latest Football Odds and Today's Football Fixtures