Mauritania vs Algeria Prediction: Spirited Algeria to get first win

Algeria is set to vie for a place in the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations in their upcoming clash against Mauritania, marking their final Group D game at the Peace of Bouake Stadium. While the Lions of Chinguetti aspire to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams, the North African powerhouse views this match as a must-win, aiming to steer clear of a second consecutive group-stage exit.

Mauritania is on the verge of another group-stage exit from the Africa Cup of Nations following a 3-2 defeat to Angola on Saturday. Despite goals from Sidi Amar Bouna and Aboubakary Koita, Angola, with a brace from Gelson Dala and Gilberto's 53rd-minute strike, claimed victory and secured the top spot in the group. This loss adds to Mauritania's challenging AFCON record, which includes a 1-0 defeat against Burkina Faso in their group opener on January 16, where Bertrand Traore's stoppage-time penalty gave the Stallions a winning start to the tournament.

Mauritania has yet to experience victory in any of their eight AFCON matches, with two draws and six losses, including five consecutive defeats in their last five outings. Amir Abdou's team has also struggled to find the back of the net in seven consecutive AFCON matches, a streak dating back to their debut in June 2019, when they lost 4-1 against Mali. Heading into the Group D finale on Tuesday, Mauritania, currently 105th in the World Rankings, is one of three teams, alongside Guinea-Bissau and Gambia, yet to secure any points after two rounds of group matches.

Algeria, having experienced a group-stage exit in Cameroon two years ago, is once again facing the prospect of an early elimination. The pressure is on to avoid back-to-back group-stage exits, an unprecedented scenario in their history. Despite being labeled as favorites to secure the top spot in Group D, Djamel Belmadi's team started their quest for a third AFCON title on January 15 with a somewhat disappointing 1-1 draw against Angola.

In their second group outing, Algeria needed a late brace from Al-Sadd striker Baghdad Bounedjah, including a 95th-minute equalizer, to salvage a 2-2 draw against Burkina Faso on Saturday. The Desert Warriors have now gone five consecutive AFCON matches without a win, suffering two losses and securing three draws, following their exit from the 2021 tournament without a victory.

Algeria's last AFCON victory occurred in the 2019 final when Bounedjah's early strike led them to a 1-0 win over Senegal at the Cairo International Stadium. Currently unbeaten in their last 14 matches across all competitions, Algeria heads into Tuesday's crucial match with the knowledge that a victory will secure their passage to the knockout stages, especially considering Angola's negative goal difference. 

In the seven meetings between the two teams across all competitions, the 2019 champions, Algeria, have dominated with six victories, and only one match concluding in a draw. Algeria has been particularly potent in these encounters, scoring at least four goals in four of the meetings and keeping five clean sheets.

On the other hand, Mauritania enters this match on a winless streak, having not secured a victory in their last six games in all competitions. During this period, they have failed to score in four of those matches, highlighting their current offensive struggles.

Mauritania possible starting lineup:

Niasse; Keita, El Abd, Ba, Abeid; Gassama, Fofana, Mouhsine; Kamara, Bouna, Koita

Algeria possible starting lineup:

Mandrea; Atal, Bensebaini, Mandi, Ait-Nouri; Feghouli, Bentaleb, Zerrouki; Belaili, Mahrez, Bounedjah

In light of a disappointing start in their first two games, Algeria aims to secure a significant result in Tuesday's match. Considering the evident difference in quality and experience between the two teams, my prediction backs Algeria to win without conceding, with specific confidence in Baghdad Bounedjah continuing his goal-scoring form.