Algeria vs Angola Prediction: 2019 champions can make fast start

After a dismal showing at the 2021 edition, Algeria are hoping that they can get off to a winning start at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The 2019 champions head to the Ivory Coast as one of the tournament favourites, while they’re odds-on to start with a victory against Angola on Monday.

Match Odds

Algeria are fourth-favourites to lift this trophy, while Angola are one of just three sides priced at 200/1 or above.

Given that gulf, Algeria’s price of 2/5 for the victory doesn’t seem all that bad, with the draw available at 11/4 and a shock Angola triumph a 13/2 shot.

Team News

Both sides head into this contest with no injury concerns to report. Of the two sides, Algeria have more names who will be recognisable to fans of European football, including Riyad Mahrez, Nabil Bentaleb and Ramy Bensebaini.

Algeria to win to nil @ EVS

Algeria are clearly the stronger of these two sides, but they’ll have to be wary of a mixed record at this tournament. Since 2013, they’ve made three group stage exits, making the quarters in 2015 and taking home the title in Egypt in 2019.

The two-time champions have alternated between group-stage exits and knockout runs over the last 11 years, so they should be confident of progressing, especially as a top-three finish in a group which also contains Burkina Faso and Mauritania could be enough.

However, Algeria have the foundation to focus on something more than just navigating the group stage. Defensively they look good, while the midfield trio to Sofiane Feghouli, Bentaleb and Ismael Bennacer should shut down opposition attacks.

AFCON games tend to be low scoring, while Angola have drawn a blank in each of their last four internationals. Given that, back an Algeria side who are fancied to go far to start with a win to nil.

Riyad Mahrez to score first @ 9/2

Mahrez remains key to this Algeria side, especially after the 32-year-old’s three-goal haul in their 2019 success. The Al Ahli winger adds key cutting edge to a functional outfit and he’s scored eight times in 19 club games this term.

Mahrez has become more focused on scoring since departing Manchester City and that could be key for Algeria at this tournament. Goals tend to be in short supply and Angola don’t tend to concede a lot, but their players rarely have to deal with a player of Mahrez’s quality.

With this set to be a low-scoring game, back Mahrez to break the deadlock in Algeria’s opener. He’s a 9/2 shot to find the net first and given his importance to this side, that represents good value.