Algeria vs Burkina Faso Prediction & Betting Tips (28 December)

Winner of the 2019 edition, Algeria then never knew how to live up to its status by not even managing to pass the pools of the two following editions. That said, this selection reassured its supporters and observers at the start of the week by achieving a rather convincing success against Sudan 3-0 which allowed it to take control of the ranking and to be able to envisage rapid qualification for the 1/8th finals. The Fennecs had no trouble qualifying for this CAN by quietly beating Equatorial Guinea, Togo and Liberia. Vladimir Petkovic's men then easily beat Uganda, Mozambique, Guinea, Botswana and Somalia to validate their place for the next World Cup. Before starting this CAN, Algeria was able to defeat Uganda 2-1, Somalia 3-0, Zimbabwe 3-1 and Saudi Arabia 2-0 during preparation matches. Semi-finalist in 2021, Burkina Faso then took the door in the 1/8th final of the last edition.

Wednesday evening, Brama Traoré's men won a very important victory against Equatorial Guinea after a completely crazy end to the match 2-1. Trailing until the 95th minute of play, they were able to equalize and even take the advantage in a few seconds as they headed towards a defeat which would have largely compromised their chances of qualifying. During qualifying, the Stallions finished in 2nd place in their group behind Senegal but ahead of Burundi and Malawi. On the other hand, they were unable to secure their ticket to the World Cup. Last November, the Burkinabé had built up confidence by winning against Niger 3-2 and Benin 3-0 in two friendly matches. 

For this competition, midfielder Houssem Aouar (ex-Lyon) had to throw in the towel during preparation. In addition, Rafik Guitane (Estoril), Yassine Benzia (20 sel), Adams Ounas (30 sel), Yacine Brahimi (72 sel, 15 goals) and Islam Slimani (104 sel, 45 goals) do not appear in the list either, nor do other players who have played in the French championship such as defender Kevin Van Den Kerkhof (9 sel, Charleroi), midfielder Bentaleb (Lille, 58 sels, 6 goals) or the attackers Belaïli (Esperance Tunis, 58 sels, 10 goals) and Amine Gouiri (Marseille, 19 sels, 6 goals). On the other hand, winger Riyad Mahrez (107 goals, 35 goals) is there and even scored a double on the first day. The excellent Amoura (Wolfsburg, 39 sel, 19 goals), the prolific Adil Boulbina (5 goals in 7 sel), the midfielders Boudaoui (Nice, 28 caps), Ismaël Bennacer (Dinamo Zagreb, 53 sel), Zerrouki (Twente, 44 sel), Chaïbi (Frankfurt) or even Zagence (Union Saint-Gilloise, 23 capes) are also all operational. The defensive line is also quite qualitative with experienced elements like Mandi (Lille), Aït-Nouri (Manchester City), Bensebaini (Dortmund), the former Nice full-back Atal (Al-Sadd) and Chergui (PFC). In the cages, Luca Zidane (Granada, 2 sel) is proving rather convincing at the moment and he should keep his starting place. For Burkina Faso, defender Mohamed Ouédraogo (8 sel), midfielders Tiendrébéogo (Annecy) and Abdoul Yoda (3 sel) and attackers Hassane Bandé (3 goals in 36 sel) and Mohamed Konaté (37 sel, 6 goals) do not appear not on the list after being there last month.

On the other hand, we find in the list interesting offensive elements like Lassina Traoré (Shakhtar, 30 sels, 12 goals) and Dango Ouattara (Brentford, 30 sels, 12 goals). The young 20-year-old striker Cyriaque Irié (Fribourg, 5 selections, 2 goals) is also suitable, as is the former Lyon winger Bertrand Traoré (Sunderland, 86 selections, 21 goals).  At the heart of the game, we could find the executives Blati Touré (Pyramids, 59 sel), Gustavo Sangaré (FC Noah, 39 caps) and Cedric Badolo (Spartak Trnava, 30 sel). At the back, we find players accustomed to the high level like Arsène Kouassi (Lorient, 3 caps), Steeve Yago (ex-Toulouse, 91 caps), Issoufou Dayo (81 sel, 9 goals), or even Issa Kaboré (ex-Marseille, 54 caps). Finally, star Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer Leverkusen, 59 sel) is present. It was she who gave victory to her team after added time on the first day. 

• Summary: Algeria is going head to head with Burkina Faso starting on 28 Dec 2025 at 17:30 UTC at Moulay Hassan Stadium stadium, Rabat city, Morocco. The match is a part of the Africa Cup of Nations, Group E .
• Algeria Feedinco Rating: 7.14
• Burkina Faso Feedinco Rating: 6.96