Argentina vs Algeria Preview - Goals at a premium as defending champions look for positive start

John Eastwood

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Last updated: 2 hours ago

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John Eastwood 2 hours ago

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Both teams have strong recent defensive records with many clean sheets.
Algeria likely to sit deep and defend, making a low-scoring match probable.
Main tip: Bet on under 2.5 total goals for this friendly.

Argentina conceded just 10 goals in 18 qualifying matches (Getty)

Argentina vs Algeria Predictions

Algeria are a very good side and have kept several clean sheets in their last few games. Argentina will offer more attacking threat but given Algeria's low block, under 2.5 goals looks a good option here.

Argentina vs Algeria Predictions
Head to Head
Argentina Form
Algeria Form
Argentina vs Algeria News & Predicted Lineups

Argentina have kept a clean sheet in 6 of their last 7 matches.
Algeria have kept a clean sheet in 5 of their last 6 matches.

Head to Head

Argentina beat Algeria 4-3 in their only previous encounter.

Argentina Form

Argentina had an impressive run in the World Cup 2026 qualifiers, topping the South American table with 38 points from 18 matches (12 wins, two draws, four defeats) and 31-10 goal difference.

They started 2026 with a 2-1 victory against Mauritania in a friendly match, Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Paz finding the net in the first half, followed by another win over Zambia 5-0 a couple of days later (allowed just one shot on target).

Earlier this month, the reigning world champions delivered two great performances in their final tests ahead of the World Cup 2026. First, Argentina outplayed Honduras 2-0 where they had 2.28-0.15 xG and 8-0 shots on target, while beating Iceland 3-0 earlier this week, allowing just one shot on target.

Algeria Form

Algeria were one of the most dominant sides in the African World Cup 2026 qualifiers, topping Group G with 25 out of possible 30 points, punching their ticket early on.

Vladimir Petkovic’s side also impressed in the AFCON 2025 group stage with three wins over Sudan 3-0, Burkina Faso 1-0 and Equatorial Guinea 3-1, then eliminated DR Congo 1-0 in the Round of 16 before losing to Nigeria 2-0 in the quarterfinals.

The Fennec Foxes did great in their June friendlies too, earning a 1-0 upset victory against the Netherlands in Rotterdam (Anis Hadj Moussa on target), then crushing Bolivia 4-0 in the final test.

Argentina vs Algeria News & Predicted Lineups

Argentina (4-3-3) Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico; Rodrigo de Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Thiago Almada; Enzo Fernandez, Lautaro Martinez, Lionel Messi

Leonardo Balerdi suffered an injury two weeks ago and had to leave the Argentinean camp. Marcos Senesi was called up as his replacement. Nicolas Tagliafico suffered a minor calf injury earlier this week but is expected to be in the starting lineup.

Leo Messi is expected to make his 200th appearance for Argentina here, scoring 117 goals.

Algeria (4-3-3) Luca Zidane; Aissa Mandi, Ramy Bensebaini, Nabil Bentaleb, Rayan Ait Nouri; Ramiz Zerrouki, Houssem Aouar, Ismael Bennacer; Riyad Mahrez, Amine Gouiri, Mohamed Amoura

Nabil Bentaleb was recalled to the national team after Vladimir Petkovic was appointed new coach. Riyad Mahrez is the captain with 116 appearances and 38 goals for Algeria.

Ismael Bennacer was not called up after not-so-great appearances at AFCON 2025.

Verdict

Argentina v Algeria

Both teams have kept clean sheets in the majority of their friendly matches in 2026. Algeria are likely to sit back and focus on defending while looking to strike on the counter-attack. With that approach, a low-scoring affair looks likely.