Algeria and Ivory Coast go head to head this afternoon in a crucial heavyweight tussle at the Africa Cup of Nations.
It has been a wretched AFCON tournament so far for the defending champions, who were held to a tame stalemate by Sierra Leone before falling victim to an historic upset against Equatorial Guinea.
Algeria must beat the Ivory Coast to avoid a humiliating early exit from Cameroon, with a draw not enough to squeeze through as one of the four best third-placed teams.
The Ivory Coast narrowly saw off Equatorial Guinea in their opener, but conceded a dreadful and dramatic injury-time equaliser against Sierra Leone last time out.
Patrice Beaumelle’s side sit top of the group heading into the last round of fixtures and should be heading through already on four points, but they’ll be eager not to let that position slip and make life harder for themselves in the last 16.
Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone go head to head at the same time in Limbe, with everything still to play for in a thrilling group.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Ivory Coast vs Algeria is scheduled for a 4pm GMT kick-off today - Thursday January 20, 2022.
The match will take place at the Japoma Stadium in Douala, Cameroon.
Where to watch Ivory Coast vs Algeria
TV channel: In the UK, Thursday’s match will be televised live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers will also be able to watch the action unfold online via the Sky Go app.
You can also follow all the action with Standard Sport’s LIVE match blog.
Ivory Coast vs Algeria lineups and team news
Ivory Coast: Badra Ali Sangare, Aurier, Kossounou, Deli, Konan, Ibrahim Sangare, Seri, Kessie, Gradel, Haller, Pepe
Subs: Tape, Kanon, Zaha, Kouassi, Cornet, Maiga, Boga, Die, Bailly, Kouame, Cisse, Boli
Algeria: M'Bolhi, Attal, Bensebaini, Bedrane, Mandi, Belaili, Zerrouki, Bennacer, Mahrez, Benrahma, Bounedjah
Subs: Zeghba, Tahrat, Feghouli, Brahimi, Belkebla, Slimani, Bendebka, Boulaya, Zorgane, Chetti, Benayada, Amoura
Ivory Coast vs Algeria prediction
This is all set up to be a fascinating battle between two heavyweights who will both be gunning for an important - an in Algeria’s case, essential - victory.
We’ve already seen Ghana suffer the ignominy of exiting this competition at the group stage this week and for the Fennec Foxes, following suit would be nothing short of a disaster, particularly given their quality and formidable unbeaten streak that was so shockingly busted by Equatorial Guinea of all teams.
Ivory Coast also have a squad packed with talent but are yet to hit their stride in Cameroon so far.
Fireworks could lay in store, but we’re expecting a rather tense, cagey contest that ends in a low-scoring draw - with Algeria going home.
Ivory Coast 1-1 Algeria.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
These sides last met in the quarter-finals of AFCON in 2019, when Algeria held their nerve in a penalty shootout to triumph after a 1-1 draw in Suez, Egypt.
They’d later beat Nigeria and Senegal to claim their first title since 1990.
Algeria wins: 9
Ivory Coast wins: 8
Draws: 7
