Pre-matchTuesday, June 23

Desert Foxes Must Find Teeth Against Jordan as Group J Pressure Mounts

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Algeria face a must-not-lose clash with Jordan in Edmonton, needing points to keep knockout hopes alive after an opening-day drubbing while the Cheetahs hunt their first World Cup goal.

The market makes Algeria clear favourites to bounce back, and 56 of you agree—though 12 brave souls are backing the stalemate that would leave both teams in deep trouble.

The Maths: Desperation for Both, Catastrophe Lurking

With Argentina already on six points and Austria sitting on three, both Jordan and Algeria are staring at elimination if they lose here. The Cheetahs opened with a 2-0 defeat to Austria and need to find their first-ever World Cup goal; the Desert Foxes were dismantled 3-0 by Argentina and can't afford another listless display. A draw keeps mathematical hope flickering but leaves both needing favours on the final matchday. Three points, by contrast, drags the winner right back into the qualification conversation—second place remains very much in play for whoever can shake off their opening-day nightmare.

Team News & the Key Battle: Can Algeria's Attack Finally Click?

Algeria are expected to rotate after that chastening Messi masterclass, with coach Vladimir Petkovic likely to hand starts to fresh legs in midfield and consider whether to persist with Riyad Mahrez on the wing or inject more directness. Jordan will be without suspended centre-back Yazan Al-Arab after his reckless challenge against Austria, forcing manager Jamal Abu Abed to reshuffle—veteran Anas Bani Yaseen is tipped to step in. The decisive matchup may be Algeria's creative trio of Mahrez, Youcef Belaïli, and Saïd Benrahma against Jordan's makeshift back line: the Desert Foxes generated plenty of chances against Argentina but lacked composure in the final third, while the Cheetahs have conceded twice and created little going forward. If Algeria's attackers find their range, Jordan's depleted defence could be in for a long night.

What the Odds Say: Market Expects Algerian Response

Bookmakers are pricing Algeria as strong favourites to collect three points, reflecting both their superior pedigree and Jordan's struggles to threaten in their opener. The betting sentiment suggests a narrow Algerian win is the likeliest outcome—a 1-0 or 2-1 scoreline that gets them back on track without erasing the defensive fragility that Argentina exposed. That confidence is shared by the pool: 56 of you are backing the Desert Foxes, with 1-2 the single most popular shout (22 picks). Only six have faith in a Jordanian upset, while a dozen are calling the draw that would suit neither side. Algeria have the talent to deliver, but after that Buenos Aires humbling, they'll need to prove they still have the stomach for the fight.

▸Sources (27)