At least three goals have been scored in four of Jordan’s last five matches
Algeria may need to boost their goal difference after losing their opener
Recommended Bet: Over 2.5 Goals
Neither Jordan nor Algeria can afford to lose their next match — a pivotal Group J encounter in Santa Clara.
Both teams were beaten in their opening contests — Jordan going down 3‑1 to Austria after Algeria had been outclassed by Lionel Messi in Argentina’s 3-0 victory.
This World Cup may be Jordan’s first, but Jamal Sellami’s side are not there to make up the numbers. They have prepared meticulously and could have a surprise or two in store for the Fennecs.
Algeria, meanwhile, returned to the finals after a 12‑year absence and will be desperate to avoid a shock early exit.
The latest Jordan vs Algeria odds are available on LiveScore Bet.
Team news
Sellami usually deploys his side in a 3-4-2-1 shape with three dependable defenders — Abdallah Nasib, Yazan Al-Arab and Mohammad Abualnadi — protecting experienced goalkeeper Yazeed Abulalla.
That system can transform into a compact 5-4-1 out of possession with wing-backs Ihsan Haddad and Mohammad Abu Taha dropping a little deeper.
Musa Al‑Taamari remains the team’s creative heartbeat, cutting in from the right and carrying their main attacking threat. Ali Olwan, who scored Jordan’s first-ever World Cup goal, supplements the attack.
Jordan have no reported injuries, but the physical toll of their opener may prompt Sellami to consider minor tweaks in midfield or bring in another striker to occupy the Algerian defenders.
Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic is expected to change the line-up and shape following his side’s capitulation against the world champions.
But under-fire goalkeeper Luca Zidane is set to keep his place and feature behind a back three of Aissa Mandi, Ramy Bensebaini and Zineddine Belaid.
Nabil Bentaleb is set to be dropped with Rayan Ait-Nouri and Rafik Belghali pushed into wing-back roles, either side of Ibrahim Maza and Hicham Boudaoui.
Riyad Mahrez looks likely to replace Hadj Moussa on the right with Fares Chaibi on the left and Amine Gouri up front.
Mohamed Amoura, fresh from an excellent Bundesliga season, is expected to start on the bench again.
The latest Jordan vs Algeria odds are available on LiveScore Bet.
The stats
Algeria had more touches in the opposition penalty area than Argentina in their opening game.
Jordan have conceded 13 goals in their last five matches.
Algeria have scored 12 goals in their last five fixtures.
Jordan registered 11 shots with four on target in their opening game, the same as Austria.
Algeria kept clean sheets against both the Netherlands and Uruguay in pre‑tournament friendlies.
The Fennecs have won just one game at the World Cup finals in 10 matches since 1982.
The latest Jordan vs Algeria odds are available on LiveScore Bet.
Prediction
This match will be won by the team that handles the pressure best on the day and that may not be as clear-cut as it looks.
Algeria will be expected to bounce back from their Messi mauling against the minnows of the group, but Jordan proved to be better than advertised against Austria.
Their compact structure can frustrate opponents in spells, although they lack the individual quality to sustain resistance over 90 minutes against stronger sides.
Whether Algeria, who lost in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals to Nigeria earlier this year, are that much stronger remains to be seen.
Al-Nashama earned a 2-2 friendly draw with a Super Eagles side featuring Ademola Lookman, Wilfried Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and several other regulars in March — so they could frighten the Fennecs.
Both teams have to come out at some stage and it would really suit Algeria to open the game up in pursuit of the goals they need to get into positive numbers.
Backing over 2.5 goals might be the way to go with Algeria capable of scoring plenty on their day, but also looking vulnerable in goal at the moment.
Score prediction: Jordan 1‑2 Algeria
Back Over 2.5 Goals at 17/20 with LiveScore Bet.
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