The Africa Cup of Nations tournament started on Sunday and former champions Algeria will kick off Group E action against Sudan on Wednesday at the Grand Stade Agadir in Morocco.
Algeria arrive at AFCON with ambitions of lifting the trophy, but recent history offers mixed encouragement, having exited at the group stage in five of their last seven tournament appearances.
Under Vladimir Petkovic, they are on a 16-match run without defeat inside 90 minutes. That confidence was slightly dented last time out, however, as they were eliminated on penalties by the United Arab Emirates in the quarter-finals of the Arab Cup.
Sudan, meanwhile, have battled their way to the finals after narrowly topping their qualifying group ahead of Niger, earning a place at just their second Nations Cup in the last seven editions.
Ranked 118th in the world, they enter the tournament in bad form, with only one win in their last 11 matches, including eight games without finding the net. A recent 3-1 defeat to Bahrain in the Arab Cup further underlines the scale of the challenge they face at this tournament.
Read our Algeria vs Sudan predictions and preview to find out, but remember to also check AFCON predictions.
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Algeria vs Sudan prediction: Home team to win
Key statistics
- Algeria have won three of their last five international games across all competitions.
- A first-half draw has been played in back-to-back meetings between the two teams.
- Under 2.5 goals have been scored in three of their last five encounters.
Correct score prediction: Algeria 2-0 Sudan
Algeria are in a better form than their opponent entering into this games and they are favourites to win. Sudan have found it difficult to get a win against the Algerian team and they enter this tournament in poor form.
With the form of the Fennecs, we believe the Desert Warriors will control the tempo of the match and secure three points comfortably. We are therefore predicting an easy 2-0 victory for Algeria.
Pre-match odds and win probability: Algeria favoured by bookmakers
- Home: 4/9 (1.44) – 69.2%
- Draw: 27/10 (3.70) – 27.0%
- Away: 5/1 (6.00) – 16.7%
*Odds provided by Ladbrokes. Subject to change.
The bookmakers strongly favour Algeria, with odds of 1.44 implying a 69.2% chance of victory. Sudan are clear underdog at 6.00 (16.7%), while a draw is priced at 3.70 (27.0%). The odds suggest Algeria are highly likely to claim a win in this encounter.
Most recent head-to-head: History favours the Fennecs
The last five competitive meetings between these two countries have been largely dominated by the Algerian team. The Desert Warriors have emerged victorious in two of these matches, while two ended in draws, and Sudan has managed a single win.
Their most recent clash was a 0–0 stalemate in the Arab Cup in 2025, followed by a 1-1 draw, which Sudan won on penalties 2-1 in the African Nations Championship quarter-final play-offs.
FIFA Arab Cup 01/12/21
Algeria
Sudan
After reviewing our key Algeria vs Sudan predictions, be sure to visit our website for the remaining football betting tips today.
Algeria preview: No injury issues
At 34 years of age, Riyad Mahrez remains the figurehead of the Algeria squad, lining up alongside fellow veteran Baghdad Bounedjah, also 34 and the match-winner in the 2019 final, as the Fennecs look to snap a six-game winless run at the Nations Cup.
Both players bring a proven goal threat, with Mahrez and Bounedjah boasting 33 and 35 international goals, respectively, but Algeria are no longer solely reliant on their experienced duo.
The emergence of Mohamed Amoura has eased the attacking responsibility on the veterans, providing pace, energy and a fresh source of goals for the two-time African champions. Algeria’s squad also blends experience across the pitch, with Ramy Bensebaini, Ismael Bennacer and Youcef Atal collectively accounting for 186 international caps.
However, there could be a change at left-back, with Rayan Aït-Nouri pushing to start ahead of Bensebaini.
Predicted lineup: Zidane (GK), Belghali, Mandi, Belaid, Ait-Nouri, Bennacer, Zerrouki, Mahrez, Moussa, Aouar & Bounedjah
Last five fixtures
- 12.12.25 – Algeria 1–2 United Arab Emirates (Arab Cup, lost on penalties)
- 09.12.25 – Algeria 2–0 Iraq (Arab Cup)
- 06.12.25 – Bahrain 1–5 Algeria (Arab Cup)
- 03.12.25 – Algeria 0–0 Sudan (Arab Cup)
- 18.11.25 – Saudi Arabia 0–2 Algeria (Friendly)
Sudan preview: Clean bill of health
Sudan head into the tournament with a squad drawn largely from their domestic league. That said, a handful of players bring experience from abroad, led by captain Bakhit Khamis, with Munjed Alnil, Muhamed Kesra, Sheddy Barglan, Abuaagla Abdalla, Ammar Taifour, Mohamed Eisa, Abo Eisa, Al-Jezoli, John Mano and Aamir Abdallah all earning their club minutes outside the country.
A smaller core of that group operates even further afield, as Sheddy Barglan, the Eisa brothers, and Aamir Abdallah are based beyond Africa, playing in European and Asian-Pacific leagues, including stints in the Netherlands, Thailand, and Australia, offering Sudan some exposure to different footballing environments.
Predicted lineup: Abooja (GK), Awad, Ering, Karshoum, Tabanja, Mozamil, Taifour, Khdir, Raouf, Mano & Abdelrahman
Last five fixtures
- 09.12.25 – Bahrain 3–1 Sudan (Arab Cup)
- 06.12.25 – Sudan 0–2 Iraq (Arab Cup)
- 03.12.25 – Algeria 0–0 Sudan (Arab Cup)
- 26.11.25 – Sudan 2–1 Lebanon (Arab Cup)
- 18.11.25 – Oman U23 0–0 Sudan (Friendly)
Player to watch: Riyad Mahrez
Riyad Mahrez has been one of the best players in the Algerian team and represents their attacking threat for this opening game. As the team's captain, his presence could significantly impact the team's performance and ultimately determine how far they would go in the competition.
Mahrez has been directly involved in numerous goals for the national team. This season, he has scored four goals and provided two assists in all competitions for Al-Ahli. Algeria will be hoping he finds his scoring boot to ensure they secure a winning start to their AFCON campaign.