International
2013-01-22 - Tunisia vs Algeria
A Sports Betting Pick by Addicted
Football : Africa : ACN
Tuesday, 22nd January 2013 - Kickoff 6:00pm GMT
BETTING PREVIEW
The 2nd game of the day promises to be a very close one, and it would not surprise me one bit if we saw yet another draw in the tournament. However, with the Ivory Coast likely to pick up 3 points earlier with a win over Togo, this becomes a very important game, probably the one that decides which of these 2 progresses.
Both countries are previous winners of the African Cup of Nations, with Tunisia lifting the trophy in 2004 and Algeria way back in 1990. However it is Algeria that are the better team at the moment. Indeed, they are currently ranked 2nd in Africa, and their wins have been a lot more impressive coming into this opening match.
Tunisia have played 3 friendlies in 2013 in the run up to this game, failing to win each time. They've conceded in each game too, a worry, especially the last game when they were really battered. Tunisia were held 1-1 by Ethiopia and then Gabon, before Ghana dealt them a 4-2 loss 9 days ago. it is the defence that worries me, for I see no clean sheets in recent games, leading me to believe Algeria are surely going to score in this one. I cannot say the same for the Tunisians.
Algeria played just 1 friendly in 2013, but kept a clean sheet, holding South Africa 0-0 10 days ago. There was a 1-0 loss to Bosnia in a friendly back in November, but the games before that are a better indication of how they will perform when the game means something. Indeed, the defence was airtight against South Africa, as they were seriously warming up for the opener, and their last 2 ACN qualifying matches saw them win to nil, 1-0 and then 2-0 over Libya.
The last time these two met was in 2011, in a friendly that ended 1-0 to Algeria. The margin of victory could be higher here if Algeria perform to their capabilities. A clean sheet is not out of the question, and Algeria have a very dangerous player in Islam Slimani, who scored a very impressive brace against Gambia in a 4-1 qualifying win.
THE BETTING VERDICT
I am not writing off Tunisia, and was considering the 1 goal margin win for Algeria, but we are getting pretty big odds on Algeria just to win so I shall stick with that as the prices are good value.
The Pick :
Tunisia 0-1 Algeria
