Algeria vs Congo DR Prediction: Desert Flowers to advance

Algeria and Congo DR clash in Rabat on Tuesday (16:00 GMT, 4seven) in the round of 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations. Algeria topped Group E with a maximum nine points, while their opponents were second in Group D and unbeaten.

My Algeria vs Congo DR predictions can be found below, as well as the latest match odds and team news.

Team News

Algeria left-back Jaouen Hadjam is going to miss out of this match due to an ankle injury sustained against Burkina Faso. There also doubts over fellow left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri, who was forced off against Equatorial Guinea with an issue.

Riyad Mahrez has delivered for the Desert Flowers so far with three goals to his name, one shy of Morocco's Brahim Diaz in the Golden Boot race.

Football Odds

Congo DR defender Artur Masuaku will need to be monitored ahead of this clash after he missed out of the clash with Bostwana through injury. Should he be ruled out again, Joris Kayembee will be expected to continue at left-back.

Veteran winger Gael Kakuta has scored twice in that last match and he will be hoping to hold onto a starting place on Tuesday as a result.

Algeria vs Congo DR Odds

Algeria have won five of their last six matches, including all three group stage fixtures. They are 21/20 (implied probability of 48.8%) to win this match in regulation time.

Congo DR experienced a draw with 2021 champions Senegal during the group stage, and the stalemate on this occasion is valued at 21/10. The Leopards are 3/1 to prevail inside 90 minutes.

Both sides saw BTTS - Yes land in one of their group stage games, and it is 6/5 to strike on Tuesday.

Today's Football Fixtures

Match Result - Algeria @ 21/20

Two teams that have impressed during the group stage should tee up a captivating encounter in Rabat, and one that many neutrals will be eager to tune in for, myself included.

There is a lot of quality on both sides and I am expecting this to be a very competitive tie. Algeria are already past the point of which they were eliminated in the 2023 edition, while they are facing a side who made it to the semi-finals in the Ivory Coast in Congo DR.

The two teams come into this round of 16 clash with confidence. They are both unbeaten but Algeria get to brag about winning all three of their group stage contests, and I do think this could give them an edge here.

With an in-form Mahrez to guide them, I think the Desert Flowers are blossoming after a disappointing Afcon campaign two years ago. I am backing them to progress to the quarter-finals in regulation time here in what should be an interesting test of their resolve.

Anytime Goalscorer - Riyad Mahrez @ 2/1

As Algeria's captain and beacon of hope in the final third, all eyes will be fixed on Mahrez to do what he does best and inspire the Desert Flowers.

The former Leicester City and Manchester City winger has already contributed three goals to his side's Afcon efforts and I do believe that there will be more to come as long as Algeria remain in the competition.

With a few goals already, the attacker should be full of confidence coming into this last-16 battle, while he will also be fired up to keep up his goalscoring form because he is firmly in the Golden Boot Race. And as mentioned above, he sits just one goal behind the current leader Diaz.

Given his quality, 2/1 looks excellent value for Mahrez to add to his tally here.

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