Algeria
There is a lot more attacking punch in Vladimir Petkovic's Algeria than the Argentina result showed, and I think Riyad Mahrez and Mohammed Amoura, who bagged ten goals between them in African qualifying, will enjoy themselves against a Jordan back line that let in three in its first game. Amine Gouiri is the central striker, and their 4-3-3 setup should give them most of the ball against a side that will defend deeper than Argentina did. Ismael Bennacer was surprisingly left out of the squad, so Nabil Bentaleb holds the midfield, but Houssem Aouar and Gouiri have both shaken off earlier injuries. As I see it Algeria's class in the attacking third makes them the obvious favourites, although their defence looked shaky against Messi and is still a worry.
Expected Lineup: Zidane; Belghali, Mandi, Bensebaini, Ait-Nouri; Boudaoui, Bentaleb, Maza; Hadj Moussa, Gouiri, Mahrez.
Jordan
Jordan are first timers at the World Cup and showed plenty of fight against Austria, as Ali Olwan scored the country's first goal at the finals before they ran out of steam late on. Mousa Al Taamari, the Rennes wide man known as the Jordanian Messi, is their clear danger on the break and will target any gaps Algeria leave behind. I think Jordan have to go after this game because another loss probably finishes them, and that should make it a more open contest. Injured striker Yazan Al Naimat is missing and Ibrahim Sabra was lost to injury just before the tournament, but skipper Ihsan Haddad is back to settle a defence that has to be tighter than it was after the break against Austria.
Expected Lineup: Abulaila; Nasib, Al Arab, Abualnadi; Haddad, Al Rashdan, Al Rawabdeh, Abu Taha; Al-Fakhoury, Olwan, Al Tamari.
