Branko ILIC

Match Details

Algeria-Slovenia, Group C, Polokwane, Friday 13 June, 13.30 (local time)

Algeria and Slovenia are anxious to score three points given that teams in their group England and USA has just scored 1 point each via a draw. Whoever wins the match would get ahead of the pack putting more weight on their advancement to the next round. England and USA on the other hand is hoping that these teams end in draw, putting everyone on equal footing.

Both teams are equally skilled and experienced that it would be difficult to clearly predict who goes on to score three points at the end of the game.

Game History
There is no history between the two and this first encounter would set history books on them.

Why Slovenia would win?

Slovenia showed a lot of promise and talent disposing both Qatar and New Zealand easily during the pre-finals friendlies. Slovenina also finished second behind Slovakia even edging out Russia to get to the final of the World Cup. Slovenia’s confidence is up high which could carry the team for a win.

Slovenia Lineup
1 Samir HANDANOVIC
12 Jasmin HANDANOVIC
16 Aleksander SELIGA
2 Miso BRECKO
3 Elvedin DZINIC
4 Marko SULER
5 Bostjan CESAR
6 Branko ILIC
13 Bojan JOKIC
19 Suad FILEKOVIC
22 Matej MAVRIC
8 Robert KOREN
10 Valter BIRSA
15 Rene KRHIN
17 Andraz KIRM
18 Aleksandar RADOSAVLJEVIC
20 Andrej KOMAC
21 Dalibor STEVANOVIC
7 Nejc PECNIK
9 Zlatan LJUBIJANKIC
11 Milivoje NOVAKOVIC
14 Zlatko DEDIC
23 Tim MATAVZ

Why Algeria would win?

Algeria teamwork is battle tested having to go through the eye of the needle to reach the World Cup Finals. They had to beat arch-rivals Egypt, come back after their loss to European’s Serbia and Republic of Ireland. There is more to learn and bonding to happen whenever team loses and Algeria has that kind of experience on their shoulders.

Algeria Lineup
1 Lounes GAOUAOUI
16 Faouzi CHAOUCHI
23 Rais M BOLHI
2 Madjid BOUGHERRA
3 Nadir BELHADJ
4 Anther YAHIA
5 Rafik HALLICHE
12 Habib BELLAID
14 Abdelkader LAIFAOUI
18 Carl MEDJANI
20 Djamel MESBAH
6 Yazid MANSOURI
7 Ryad BOUDEBOUZ
8 Medhi LACEN
13 Karim MATMOUR
15 Karim ZIANI
17 Adlane GUEDIOURA
19 Hassan YEBDA
21 Foued KADIR
22 Djamal ABDOUN
9 Abdelkader GHEZZAL
10 Rafik SAIFI
11 Rafik DJEBBOUR

Key matchup

Madjid Bougherra v Zlatko Dedic

Algeria is relying heavily on their defense anchored on Bougherra. He is expected to stop Slovenia from scoring a goal and could provide a stonewall and gritty defense throughout the game. On the contrary, Dedic of Slovenia is a deadly striker who is looking to score another goal in international competitions. The defense stopper against the aggressive striker.

Key takeaway

Both Algeria and Slovenia are itching to win especially since both of them are equally matched up. England and USA are hoping they draw their game to put them on equal footing.