Tunisia vs Algeria Preview - North Africa rivals to play out score draw

Tunisia vs Algeria Predictions for Friday’s international friendly
Match is being played at 20:30 BST at Stade Olympique de Radès
Tunisia have lost 1 of their last 12 home matches against Algeria (7 draws)
A score draw is tipped in Rades
Betting tips, predictions and team news for Tunisia vs Algeria

Tunisia and Algeria backed to draw in friendly (Getty Images)

Tunisia vs Algeria Preview & Tips

This is a big North Africa derby with Tunisia losing one of their last 12 matches in Tunisia against their rivals. Both sides are in strong form and difficult to beat so I am tipping a draw as the best bet.

Tunisia are undefeated in 11 of their last 12 home matches against Algeria (7 draws) (all competitions).
Tunisia have seen BTTS Yes in 3 of their last 4 matches (all competitions).
Algeria have drawn 4 of their last 7 matches (all competitions).
Algeria have seen BTTS Yes in 5 of their last 7 matches (all competitions).

Head to Head

These sides sit at 15-15 after 43 previous matches with 13 draws.

The sides last met in a friendly in March 2019 as Algeria won 1-0 at home.

Tunisia Form

Tunisia are 12 matches undefeated with nine wins and three draws. They finished first in their AFCON qualification group with five wins and one draw.

They won 1-0 against Tanzania before a 1-1 away draw against the same opponents secured qualification. They finished off the group with a big 5-2 win in Libya and a 2-1 home win against Equatorial Guinea.

Their most recent match was a 1-0 friendly victory against Congo DR as Naim Sliti scored the only goal.

Tunisia Injuries & Team News

Experienced midfielder Mohamed Amine Ben Amor is not in the squad for these friendlies.

Young Arsenal defender Omar Rekik will be hoping to make his debut in defence whilst Wahbi Khazri is a key man in attacking areas with 19 goals in 57 caps.

Tunisia Squad

Goalkeepers: Farouk Ben Mustapha, Moez Ben Cherifia, Mouez Hassen, Atef Dkhili

Defenders: Ali Maâloul, Yassine Meriah, Oussama Haddadi, Dylan Bronn, Mohamed Dräger, Wajdi Kechrida, Ali Abdi, Montassar Talbi, Omar Rekik, Adam Ben Lamin

Midfielders: Ferjani Sassi, Naïm Sliti, Ellyes Skhiri, Saîf-Eddine Khaoui, Hamza Rafia,

Anis Ben Slimane, Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, Aïssa Laïdouni, Hannibal Mejbri

Strikers: Youssef Msakni, Wahbi Khazri, Seifeddine Jaziri, Issam Jebali, Sebastian Tounekti,

Ali Youssef

Algeria Form

Algeria have lost just one of their last 28 matches dating back to 2018. They topped their Africa Cup of Nations qualification group with four wins and two draws in six matches.

A 2-2 draw in Zimbabwe after leading 2-0 saw Algeria qualifying for the 2021 AFCON. That was followed by a 3-3 draw in Zambia as they again threw away a lead. A 5-0 thrashing of Botswana was next with five different goalscorers.

Algeria have played two other friendlies in this international break as they beat Mauritania 4-1 and Mali 1-0. Riyad Mahrez got the winner in that match.

Algeria Injuries & Team News

Coach Djamel Belmadi left two midfielders out of his squad in Milan’s Ismaël Bennacer and Yacine Brahimi.

Algeria are expected to play their best XI for this North Africa derby. Man City’s Riyad Mahrez will play on the right wing but West Ham’s Said Benrahma will have to settle for a place on the bench.

Algeria Squad

Goalkeepers: Raïs M'Bolhi, Azzedine Doukha, Alexandre Oukidja, Abderrahmane Medjadel

Defenders: Aïssa Mandi, Ramy Bensebaini, Djamel Benlamri, Youcef Atal, Mehdi Zeffane, Mehdi Tahrat, Ayoub Abdellaoui, Abdelkader Bedrane, Ahmed Touba

Midfielders: Sofiane Feghouli, Adlène Guedioura, Mehdi Abeid, Haris Belkebla, Hicham Boudaoui, Farid Boulaya, Ramiz Zerrouki, Mehdi Zerkane

Forwards: Islam Slimani, Riyad Mahrez, Baghdad Bounedjah, Youcef Belaïli, Rachid Ghezzal,

Adam Ounas, Zinedine Ferhat, Andy Delort, Saïd Benrahma