Algeria and Mauritania square off in a friendly on Thursday, as both sides build towards the African Cup of Nations after the turn of the year.

The hosts will look to defend their title next February, while their visitors come into Thursday's game with confidence, having qualified for the international tournament for the second consecutive time.

Match preview

Algeria come into their second round of international fixtures of 2021 in high spirits, having recorded a 5-0 win over Botswana in their last outing.

Goals from Aissa Mandi, Sofiane Feghouli, Riyad Mahrez, Baghdad Bounedjah and Farid Boulaya sealed a dominant victory for the Desert Foxes in March to finish their African Cup of Nations qualifying campaign in style.

That saw them finish comfortably at the top of Group H, six points clear of second-placed Zimbabwe, booking their place in next year's tournament as a result.

They will go into that competition with the aim of retaining the title, having lifted the trophy in 2019.

Djamel Belmadi's men secured the title by defeating Senegal 1-0 in the final in Cairo, as Bounedjah netted the only goal of the game after just two minutes.

With the next tournament kicking off in around six months, El Khadra will aim to build confidence with a strong set of results in this round of three international friendlies.

They take on a Mauritania side who also qualified for the upcoming African Cup of Nations, having finished second in their group.

Al-Murabitun had everything to play for going into their final qualifying game against the Central African Republic in March, and they kept hold of their second place with a 1-0 win.

Aboubakar Kamara put his side ahead on the stroke of half time, and they held on for a 1-0 win to book their second consecutive appearance in Africa's major international tournament.

Before that tournament at the beginning of next year, Corentin Martins's men will turn their attention to the World Cup qualifying campaign, as they go into games against Zambia, Equatorial Guinea and Tunisia across September, October and November.

With their sights set on reaching the World Cup for the first time in the nation's history, Mauritania will look to build on the momentum of reaching the African Cup of Nations with what would be a statement victory over Algeria on Thursday.

Team News

Algeria will be led by captain and Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez, who recently lifted his third Premier League trophy before they fell short in the Champions League final against Chelsea on Saturday.

They are not short of other attacking options either, with Islam Slimani expected to lead the line while Sofiane Feghouli, Rachid Ghezzal and Said Benrahma also offer plenty of threat from the wide areas.

Striker Baghdad Bounedjah will also be hopeful of earning a starting spot, having netted an impressive tally of 17 goals in 38 international appearances so far, including the winning goal in the African Cup of Nations final in 2019.

AC Milan midfielder Ismael Bennacer has missed out on the latest Algeria squad due to foot surgery, meaning Adlene Guediora could play a key role in the middle.

The key man in the Mauritiana attack is Bessam, who has netted 12 goals in 56 international appearances.

Meanwhile, Real Valladolid midfielder Hacen also offers plenty of attacking threat, having found the net nine times in 47 games for his nation, despite still being only 23 years old.

Algeria possible starting lineup:
Oukidja; Mandi, Benlamri, Tahrat, Bensebaini; Feghouli, Guediora, Boudaoui, Benrahma; Mahrez, Slimani

Mauritania possible starting lineup:
N Diaw; M Diaw, Abderrahmane, N'Diaye, Abeid; Dellahi Yali, Hacen, Camara; Bessam, Diakite, Niass

We say: Algeria 3-0 Mauritania

Algeria should have too much in every department for their opponents on Thursday, and we see them cruising to a comfortable victory.

Their abundance of top-flight ability going forward should be more than enough to break down the Mauritania back line, with the likes of Mahrez, Slimani and Benrahma all looking to add to their international goals tallies.

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