Algeria vs Russia: World Cup 2014 match preview

A look ahead to the Group H clash for one spot at the Round of 16

Igor Akinfeev gives away a shocking goal for Russia (GETTY IMAGES)

Former England manager Fabio Capello is ready to set his team against Algeria and fight for a spot at the Round of 16. Belgium are already considered to be through thanks to a rather comfortable goal record and so both sides will battle it out for the second position.

Follow Algeria v Russia live here

Algeria impressed last week against South Korea as they scored four goals that put themselves in prime position at the group table and so a draw would be fine. Manager Vahid Halilhodzic is dealing with no injuries nor suspensions and could be expected to feature the same starting line-up with Valencia winger Sofiane Feghouli probably starting on the right again, last week’s scorer Islam Slimani up front and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Nabil Bentaleb on the left.

Russia are dealing with more pressure as they need nothing but a win, after falling short to Belgium and experiencing an Igor Akinfeev gaffe that gave South Korea their one and only point in the group. Dynamo Moscow right-back Aleksei Kozlov suffered an injury at the Belgium defeat and is not expected to feature in this match, but striker Aleksandr Kerzhakov would love to become Russia’s all-time top scorer – as he is just one goal away.

KICK-OFF: Thursday, 9pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Both sides have never faced each other before.

STATS:

This is the first time ever those two teams will square off.

Russia striker Aleksandr Kerzhakov is the joint-top scorer for the team alongside Vladimir Beschastnykh with 26 goals.

Algeria scored four goals last week against South Korea, which was more than they have scored in all of their previous seven World Cup games combined.

This is the first time Algeria amass more than just one point at the World Cup since 1986.

ODDS:

Algeria to win: 3.6

Russia to win: 2.1

Draw: 3.5

TV: Live on ITV at 9pm