Preview: Algeria vs. Mali - prediction, team news, lineups

Looking to extend their current unbeaten streak to 10 matches, Algeria welcome Mali to the Mustapha Tchaker Stadium on Sunday.

On the other hand, the visitors are also in fine form heading into the clash as they have lost just one of their last eight fixtures.

Match preview

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Algeria breezed past Mauritiana in a friendly on Thursday when they claimed an emphatic 4-1 victory on home turf.

Goals in the final 30 minutes from Adam Ounas and Baghdad Bounedjah added to Sofiane Feghouli's earlier double, handing the Desert Foxes a comfortable win.

Djamel Belmadi's men have now won five straight games on their own patch, with their last home defeat coming back in 2018.

Standing in their way of half a dozen consecutive home wins is a Mali side who have lost each of their last three away matches against the AFCON defending champions.

The most recent of those encounters was a 3-2 triumph for Sunday's hosts in an international friendly two years ago.

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Mali were awarded a 3-0 victory over Chad in their final Group A fixture of the 2022 AFCON qualifying campaign.

Mohamed Magassouba's men have booked their place in next year's competition, finishing as group winners after picking up 13 points from an available 18.

The Eagles stunned Ghana in their last friendly on the road and that should give them confidence heading into the game in Blida.

Sunday's fixture is the first of three away outings for the visitors, who have trips to DR Congo and Tunisia on the horizon.

Team News

Following his brace last time out, Sofiane Feghouli has now scored four goals in his last four games for the hosts, and he will aim to keep that run going.

Riyad Mahrez is not expected to feature, having only just joined up with the squad due to his involvement in the Champions League final.

Baghdad Bounedjah and Adam Ounas could be rewarded with starting spots after they both came off the bench to find the back of the net against Mauritania.

Mali's Mohamed Magassouba is likely to stick with his regular defensive unit, which has recorded four clean sheets in the last six games.

Moussa Djenepo will look to put behind him a frustrating Premier League campaign with Southampton, where he managed only one league goal all-season long.

Algeria possible starting lineup:
Oukidja; Abdellaoui, Touba, Bedrane, Atal; Boulaya, Belkebla, Feghouli; Ounas, Bounedjah, Ghezzal

Mali possible starting lineup:
Diarra; Bagayoko, Camara, Samake, Sacko; Dieng, Samassekou, Traore; Djenepo, Simpara, Diallo

We say: Algeria 3-1 Mali

Algeria have been a real force to reckon with, especially in front of their fans, and we are tipping them to get the job done against a Mali side who should give them a run for their money.