Algeria and Russia wrap up Group H at the World Cup, and it is Algeria that needs just a point to get to the next round, while Russia needs all three points to make it. Neither team has made it out of the group stage in five combined trips to the World Cup. Expect Russia to throw everything but the kitchen sink at Algeria and if they can find a kitchen sink, they might throw that, too.
World Cup Odds: Russia +110, Algeria +255, Draw +245
Why Algeria Can Win
Algeria has proven that they can play either way, a defensive game as they did for 70 minutes against Belgium, who overpowered them with the size of Marouane Felliani, or attack-minded soccer as they did in scoring four goals against South Korea. What was most impressive in the latter match was that four different players got on the scoresheet for Algeria, so they aren’t dependent on just one player to score all of their goals. For 12 minutes in the first half, Algeria looked like they could play with any team in the world, and that burst might have gotten them to the next round.
But can they keep it up? Algeria ran out of gas against Belgium and they gave up two in the second half against South Korea. They’ll need to play 90 full minutes on Thursday.
Why Russia Can Win
After watching Russia in their 1-0 loss to Belgium, it is tough to give reasons why they can win. They looked utterly dreadful going forward and even though they looked decent at the back, that was only until the 88th minute, when they gave up the game-winning goal and quite frankly, that isn’t going to do a thing for them on Thursday. No one on Russia’s team looks capable of creating any offense, maybe Alan Dzagoev, who was brought on as a substitute once again, but failed to make the same sort of impact he did in a draw against South Korea. Someone needs to do something or else Russia is going home, it is that simple.
Fabio Capello was outcoached in the Belgium game against Marc Wilmots, and he has to be better with his tactics against Algeria. This is still a very winnable game for Russia and he has to make them believe they can do it.
Outlook
This will be the first time that Algeria will face Russia in international soccer, and with a spot in the knockout stage on the line? You couldn’t ask for higher stakes when it comes to these two countries. Is Algeria going to rest on their laurels and play more of a counterattacking style, or will they go at Russia and try to put it out of reach early? We know what Russia is going to do, because they have no other choice but to attack.
This Russian team has been disappointing, and they’ll cap it by crashing out of the World Cup while Algeria goes through.
Pick: Draw
