Algeria vs Nigeria Predictions

Sunday night’s semi-final in the Africa Cup of Nations will decide who takes the final slot in the showpiece clash, with these two major sides pushing for glory this summer. Will 2013 winners Nigeria be the side to celebrate glory at this tournament? They have built up the form to go all the way, but they meet unbeaten opposition on Sunday. This high-pressure clash is likely to be a close-run thing, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t expect some entertainment from the clash in Cairo.

Algeria just edged through the quarter-finals, beating Ivory Coast on penalties to secure their place in the last four. They are the favourites to qualify for the final, while they are chasing a first success at this competition since their sole victory in 1990. They’ve failed to go all the way for 29 years, while this is just the second time they’ve reached the semis since winning the trophy. Can they end those years of failure by booking their place in the big finale?

Nigeria are an odd side, as they won this competition in their last AFCON appearance. However, that came back in 2013 and they failed to qualify for the next two tournaments. Now they’re looking to follow up that success, while they’ve made some impressive sides in Egypt. They have won four from five matches at this tournament, with their only setback coming in their second-placed group finish. However, the fact that they’ve lasted this long shows that it didn’t really affect them.

Nigeria have seen their fair share of excitement in the knockout rounds, as they’ve won 3-2 and 2-1 in the last two rounds. Thrilling ties have sent them into the last four, but will that continue in this clash? They’ve conceded five times in their last three Africa Cup of Nations matches, but will the Super Eagles be able to qualify in spite of that? We certainly expect Algeria to thrive against such an open defence.

Algeria just conceded their first goal of the tournament against the Ivory Coast, while they meet a team with an impressive attacking set-up. Both teams have Premier League talents driving them forward up top, while they’ve scored a total of 17 goals between them so far. Algeria haven’t failed to score at this tournament, while Nigeria are getting better and better going forward. That has us backing both teams to score, while we’re backing Nigeria to win 2-1 having scored 10 goals in their last five meetings with Algeria.