An intriguing battle awaits in World Cup Group J during the early hours of Sunday morning, with Algeria and Austria set to face off at the Kansas City Stadium.
With reigning world champions Argentina already through as group winners and tournament debutants Jordan unable to qualify, this match will decide who finishes second in the section.
Austria and Algeria are locked together on three points, but with the superior goal difference, it is the European side that will finish second if the match ends in a draw.
However, a point would also be enough to take Algeria through as one of the best third-placed teams and, with the group runners-up set to face European champions Spain in the last 32, that might end up being a preferential route into the knockout stages.
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Algeria v Austria Tips Summary
Best Bet - Draw @ 11/10
Alternative Bet - Most goals in first half @ 11/5
Bet Builder - Under 3 goals, Under 20.5 shots & Most cards: Algeria @ 5/1
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Algeria v Austria Prediction
Best Bet: Draw @ 11/10
These two sides have history when it comes to the World Cup and the final round of group fixtures, with those of a certain vintage remembering the Disgrace of Gijon in 1982.
That saw Austria and West Germany play out the result they needed in the final group game to take both teams through, eliminating Algeria in the process after the North Africans had already played their final fixture the previous day.
These two sides have not met since that World Cup and a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then, although there could still be some extra spice to this match as a result.
There are so many permutations at play heading into this game, with qualification not yet assured for either and the knowledge that Spain will lie in wait for the group runners-up.
One thing that is guaranteed is that a draw will be enough to take both sides through and, with so much on the line, both teams may end up settling for the point if the game is still level heading into the closing stages.
While some Algerian supporters would love to avenge what happened in 1982, the truth is none of the current squad were born back then and their priority will be to qualify, with the subplots being firmly left on the backburner.
Alternative Bet: Most goals in first half @ 11/5
What is likely to happen in this game is both teams will have a go for the first hour or so but if the contest is still relatively tight or level heading into the final 20-30 minutes, caution will almost certainly take over.
By the time they kick-off in Kansas City both sides will know exactly what is required to take them through, as this will be the final group to conclude.
There may, therefore, be a scenario where even a narrow defeat for either team could still see them progress.
With that in mind, it could be worth siding with more goals being scored in the first half, when the handbrake is still likely to be off and before mental maths and the permutations firmly take over.
Algeria v Austria Bet Builder Tip
- Under 3 goals
- Under 20.5 shots
- Most cards: Algeria
Pays 5/1
In a game where caution is likely to take over, goals are expected to be in short supply. Austria have not been involved in many thrillers of late anyway, with six of their last eight matches featuring fewer than three goals.
If goals are at a premium then shots may be too, as neither side has been particularly prolific when it comes to firing off efforts, Algeria managing just 24 in their opening two games and Austria a paltry 17.
There are unlikely to be too many cards either - unless the Disgrace of Gijon is at the forefront of Algerian minds - but in a scenario where it is more likely the Fennecs will be chasing a goal than Austria, it could be worth siding with them to be reprimanded by the referee more often.
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Key Match Stats
- Both teams have beaten Jordan and lost to Argentina at this World Cup
- Algeria must win to pip Austria to second in Group J, but a point would still send both sides through
- This will only be the second time these two teams have met
- The first meeting ended in a 2-0 victory for Austria at the 1982 World Cup
- Austria are bidding to advance from the first group stage of a World Cup for the first time since 1982
- Algeria have only once before reached the World Cup knockout stage, achieving the feat in 2014
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
