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Germany 1-0 (ET) Argentina (Gotze 113')

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Game 48 Preview: Algeria vs. Russia

ALGERIA vs. RUSSIA


 Date: June 26, 2014
Time: 4:00 p.m. EDT
Venue: Arena da Baixada, Curitiba
Overall Head-to-Head Record (W-L-T): 0-0-1
Last Match: 1964 Friendly. Algeria tied Soviet Union 2-2.
Line: Russia EVEN
Group H Preview here.
Starting Lineups posted separately once they're announced.

Team Profiles 

World Ranking: Algeria (22nd), Russia (19th)
Managers: Vahid Halilhodzic (ALG), Fabio Capello (RUS)
Captains: Madjid Bougherra (ALG), Vasili Berezutskiy (RUS)
World Cup Appearances: 4 (ALG), 10 (RUS)
Best Finish: Algeria (3x Group Stage, Last in 2010), Russia (Fourth Place, 1966)
Qualifying Records: Algeria (6-2-0, GF: 16, GA: 7), Russia (7-2-1, GF: 20, GA: 5)

Previous Game Results

Algeria

Russia

June 17th - Russia tied South Korea 1-1
June 22nd - Belgium def. Russia 1-0

Rosters


















Injuries/Discipline

Algeria: Nabil Bentaleb (Yellow Card), Madjid Bougherra (Yellow Card)
Russia: Denis Glushakov (Yellow Card), Aleksei Kozlov (Doubtful - Leg), Oleg Shatov (Yellow Card)

Overview

Game that's lacking the publicity of the early ones today but is by itself perhaps most important to the fates of the teams playing. Barring a Korean upset, second place in Group H will go to one of these teams.

Algeria hold the advantage in the group having defeated South Korea in their last game with a 4-goal outburst. Russia meanwhile have been lackluster so far this tournament, scoring just once in 2 games and showing little in the way of initiative going forward.

Algeria will be in tough trying to replicate their offensive success from last game today. Russia are very stout defensively and typically push back when threatened to avoid the long balls over the top that crushed South Korea when they played Algeria. Only needing a draw though, the fate of this game may lie in Algeria's defence. They won't be terrified of this Russian attack but are not world-beaters either.

Both teams play variants of 4-2-3-1 formations. Algeria is expected to field a similar lineup to the one that defeated Korea and why not? Russia on the other hand have all kinds of personnel issues and inexplicably have not started arguably their best 2 players (Kerzhakov and Dzagoev) in either game so far. England fans are just sitting there shaking their head consolably. They understand the frustration that is Fabio Capello.

Personnel

In the Algerian Third: Algeria lack a lot of the field awareness that you see from the elite teams and that may hurt them today. Russia not particularly dangerous up front but they do know how to find space to attack in. Whether or not they take advantage of that space is another matter. Advantage: Even. Would say Russia but they've decided to leave 2 offensive weapons on the bench for whatever reason.

In the Midfield: The Russian defensive wall against Algeria's speed and pace. If Algeria are able to stretch the field vertically then Russia will be in a bad spot as they love to clog the midfield and can be slow getting back defensively. Russia's size and skill in possession will make that difficult though. Advantage: Even.

In the Russian Third: This is where Algeria may be able to have some success in this game. Russia are large and well-positioned defensively but are slow, particularly in the centre of the field. Algeria need to be able use their speed to attack Ignashevich and Berezutskiy and get shots on goal from in tight. Advantage: Algeria.

Goalkeeping: M'Bolhi has been ok this tournament but is not amongst the world's elite. Akinfeev let in a howler against Korea but looked strong despite losing to Belgium in their game. Advantage: Russia.

Algeria will win if:

Hold together defensively and wait to counter-attack over the top when Russia gave the ball up. Russia have to win and Algeria should expect Russia to try and force the play in to the Algerian half. If they can send balls high to their wingers and striker on the quick counter-attack then they can use their speed to get numbers against the Russian defence.

Russia will win if:

Back line has to keep the Algerian forwards in front of them. Can't allow them to get behind and track down balls for quick rushes. Keep possession and push high up the field to keep Algeria on their heels. This is not a particularly strong back line for Algeria, if Russia can pressure them they'll find the goals they need to advance.

Prediction

Same as every other Russia game I see. Dull. Algeria's speed and long balls against the defence are good for a goal but can't hold off Russia forever.

Algeria 1-1 Russia

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