Match preview
Algeria vs Togo Prediction: AFCON Qualifier Preview
Algeria host Togo in the first leg of an AFCON qualifying double-header. We assess form, team news and the factors behind a 2-1 score prediction.
Match preview
Algeria welcome Togo in the first match of a demanding two-game sequence, with the teams due to meet again in Lome three days later. The available information does not specify the fixture date or kick-off time, so those details remain uncertain.
Algeria have begun well under Brahim Hemdani, who is unbeaten across his three matches in charge. Togo, meanwhile, opened their qualifying campaign with a win over Burundi but lost their next match away to Zambia.
Form and the case for Algeria
Algeria beat Zambia 3-1 in their qualifying opener and came from two goals behind to draw 2-2 at Burundi. They also defeated Niger 2-1 in a friendly in October, extending a run of three consecutive matches in which they have scored at least twice.
That attacking output offers encouragement, but their defence has been less convincing: Algeria have conceded 13 goals in their last seven matches across all competitions and have not kept a clean sheet in that span. Their record against Togo provides a counterweight, with six wins in the sides’ last seven meetings and clean sheets in four of the last five.
Togo started with a 1-0 victory over Burundi in Lome, Dermane Karim scoring the only goal, but then lost 2-0 away to Zambia. That defeat ended a six-match unbeaten run and was the first time they had failed to score in six outings this year, according to the supplied information.
The visitors’ away record is another concern: they have managed one win in their last 13 matches outside Togo, alongside six draws and six defeats. Algeria are ranked 92 places above Togo, who are listed 120th in the FIFA World Rankings, though rankings alone do not determine the outcome.
Head-to-head record
Recent meetings favour Algeria, who have won six of the last seven encounters across friendlies and competitive fixtures. They have also kept Togo scoreless in four of the last five.
That history may bolster the hosts’ confidence, but the teams’ upcoming return fixture means this opening leg has its own tactical and competitive context. The supplied information does not give dates or scores for individual past meetings.
Team news and projected line-ups
Algeria are without Bachir Belloumi, Jaouen Hadjam, Hicham Boudaoui, Amin ?hiakha and Rafik Belghali, all reported to have withdrawn because of injury or fitness concerns. Fahem Benaissa-Yahia was called up in Hadjam’s place, while Adem Zorgane replaced Boudaoui. Yacine Titraoui has returned to the squad; Mohamed Azzi and Abderrahmane Rebbach have received their first senior call-ups.
For Togo, Sharani Zuberu and Steven Nador are out with hamstring injuries, and Mansour Ouro-Tagba is unavailable. Lilian Brassier has earned a first call-up and could make his debut; Kennedy Boateng and Thibault Klidje have returned, while Augustin Drakpe has been recalled after recovering from injury.
The supplied projected line-ups are: Algeria — Benbot; Azzi, Bensebaini, Nair, Benaissa-Yahia; Bentaleb, Titraoui, Abdelli; Amoura, Gouiri, Maza. Togo — Barcola; Brassier, Boateng, Bode, Koudossou; Djene, Karim, Ouro; Komlavi, Djibril, Denkey. These are projected teams, not confirmed selections.
Tactical factors
Algeria’s recent scoring suggests they can create enough threat to trouble Togo, while their run of concessions leaves room for the visitors to find opportunities. Togo’s failure to score against Zambia is a warning sign, but Karim’s qualifying opener shows they have already found a way to make an impact in this campaign.
The hosts’ home advantage and stronger recent head-to-head record point in their favour. Togo’s poor away run makes the challenge harder, although the approaching second leg could influence how both sides approach risk in this opening match. Specific tactical systems and midfield match-ups are not established by the available information.
Algeria vs Togo prediction
Prediction: Algeria 2-1 Togo.
Algeria’s scoring sequence, unbeaten start under Hemdani and favourable record against Togo support a home-win forecast. Their defensive record, however, makes a clean sheet difficult to assume.
Togo’s away results offer little reassurance, but they have shown they can score in qualifying. A narrow Algeria victory, with the visitors capable of making the hosts work for it, is a reasonable projection rather than a certainty.