Orlando Pirates vs MC Alger Predictions - Bucs to reach CAF semis with home draw

John Eastwood

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Last updated: 08 Apr 2025

John Eastwood 08 Apr 2025

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Pirates unbeaten in their last 11 CAF Champions League matches, tipped to draw here.
MC Alger lost the first leg 1-0 though they dominated possession and the shot count (22-4).
Pirates might switch to a back five, while MC Alger could recall their top scorer.

Expired

Pirates to progress to CAF Champions League semi-finals (Getty Images).

Orlando Pirates Predictions vs MC Alger Predictions

Bucs are hard to beat in this competition and I see them progressing. My tip is a draw with both teams on target.
Orlando Pirates Predictions vs MC Alger Predictions
Head to Head
Orlando Pirates Form & Team News
Orlando Pirates Predicted Lineup
MC Alger Form & Team News
MC Alger Predicted Lineup

Orlando Pirates are undefeated in their last 11 matches (CAF Champions League).
Orlando Pirates have conceded in their last 3 home matches.
MC Alger are undefeated in 16 of their last 18 matches.
MC Alger have conceded in 8 of their last 9 matches.

Head to Head

These sides met for the first time last week.

Orlando Pirates beat MC Alger 1-0 in Algeria.

Orlando Pirates Form & Team News

Pirates won the first leg of this tie a week ago in Algeria. They sit second in the PSL table with games on hand on the leaders but a big deficit to close.

They won on penalties in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals after a 2-2 draw at SuperSport United. A frustrating 0-0 draw at ten-man Stellenbosch was followed by a key 2-1 home win over Mamelodi Sundowns.

Last week, they won 1-0 at MC Alger in the first leg despite being outshot 22-4. On Saturday, Bucs did enough to win 1-0 at Polokwane City thanks to a set-piece goal.

Coach Jose Riveiro could switch to a back five with teenager Mbekezeli Mbokanzi starting again. Thabiso Sesane and Olisa Ndah are out injured at the back.

Playmaker Patrick Maswanganyi is fit after an injury. Right winger Mohau Nkota is pushing to start after his winner in the first leg.

Orlando Pirates Predicted Lineup

Chaine; Van Rooyen, Xoki, Sibisi, Mbokazi, Hotto; Makhaula, Mbatha; Maswanganyi, Mofokeng; Makgopa.

MC Alger Form & Team News

MC Alger’s first-leg defeat was just their second loss in 18 fixtures in all competitions. They sit top of the Algerian Ligue 1 with a four-point lead and a game in hand.

After an 11-match unbeaten run was ended, they bounced back in a 3-1 league win at Paradou AC. A 2-1 home win vs CS Constantine and a 2-0 win at MC Oran followed.

They went into the first leg last week on the back of a 2-2 home draw vs Khenchela having led 2-0. MC Alger dominated Pirates last week but lost 1-0 with 68% possession and 22 shots.

Coach Khaled Ben Yahia surprisingly left top scorer Soufiane Bayazid on the bench a week ago. He has scored three goals in this season’s CAF Champions League and is set for a recall.

There are no injuries or suspensions to deal with. Winger Zakaria Naidji has produced six assists this term and is a key man.