Zimbabwe vs Algérie Prediction & Betting Tips - CAN, Qualification

Prediction published on 15/11/2020, 08:54  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 15/11/2020 at 08:55 in Football Predictions

Group H of the 2021 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers has become tighter after the Match Day 3 results streamed in, with only Algeria staying in pole position. Group leaders Algeria, on nine points, travel to Zimbabwe on Match Day 4 with hosts Zimbabwe, in second place and with four points, hoping to stop the defending champions. Zimbabwe are one of the three Southern Africa teams in this group, vying for the two slots available and a win here will place them in a very good position. They are coming from a 3-1 loss in Algeria after complete domination by the African champions and they will be hoping to serve the same on Algeria here. That loss in North Africa was Zimbabwe’s first in seven matches but they had drawn three of the earlier four before playing Algeria. To be able to beat Algeria, Zimbabwe must improve on their attack; they have failed to score in three of their last five matches. They will hope to call on their home form, which has seen them go on a six-game unbeaten run and they have won four of the six though in all fairness, none of the six teams has been as strong as Algeria. Notably though, they have no loss in 15 straight home matches in AFCON qualifiers and have failed to score in just two of these matches, while scoring two or more in nine. They will want to take that form to this clash and having scored in each of their five matches against Algeria in history, they will be confident ahead of the job at hand.

Algeria have only visited Harare once before, and on that occasion, a 2006 World Cup qualifier, they drew 1-1. The win on Thursday was their first ever against Zimbabwe and they will be aware the task ahead of them is not easy. Algeria need a win to secure their place at the 2021 AFCON finals but they will have to work for it here. Their run of form is good though; they come here with just one loss in 23 matches and will hope their second visit to Harare serves a second win over Zimbabwe. They have no loss in the last five matches and with four wins in their last five AFCON qualification matches they will be favorites here. Algeria have failed to score once in the last 15 matches in AFCON qualifiers but have just two clean sheets in their last six. Three of their last five AFCON qualification matches have produced over 2.5 goals and with just three clean sheets in 10 away AFCON qualification matches, they will hope for improvement here. In each of their previous five meetings with Zimbabwe, they have conceded at least a goal, with four of these producing over 2.5 goals, thus a clean sheet here will be a big improvement.