Preview: Tanzania vs. Algeria - prediction, team news, lineups

The teams have got their respective qualifying campaigns off and running and both will be looking to consolidate on a decent start.

Match preview

Algeria eased past the challenge of Uganda in a relatively comfortable 2-0 triumph at the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 on Saturday.

Djamel Belmadi's men opened the scoring just shy of the half-hour mark through Aissa Mandi before Youcef Belaili put the result beyond doubt with 10 minutes left to play.

Following a woeful display at the last edition of the AFCON, the Desert Warriors have now won four of their subsequent six outings, although their only defeat in that time proved to be costly as it cost them a place in November's World Cup.

Next up is the challenge of an opposing outfit who have lost each of the last three meetings between the teams and are yet to win any of the previous six encounters overall.

Off the back of a 1-0 win against Niger in a warm-up fixture on Monday, Wednesday's visitors will make the journey to Dar es Salaam with the wind in their sails.

Tanzania had to settle for a share of the spoils in Saturday's clash against Niger Republic at Stade de l'Amitie in Cotonou.

Kim Poulsen's men stole an early march inside the opening 60 seconds through George Mpole, but Daniel Sosah was on hand to level matters four minutes shy of the half-hour mark.

The Taifa Stars maintain their unbeaten streak since the turn of the year albeit having managed only one victory in that span.

With 10 goals conceded across their last five home outings, Wednesday's hosts will need to be wary of being picked apart defensively in this one.

Tanzania Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying form:

Tanzania form (all competitions):

Algeria Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying form:

Algeria form (all competitions):

Team News

Algeria's Rais M'Bolhi was handed a rare breather against Uganda, but the goalkeeper is expected to reclaim his place in the starting XI for this one.

After recently switching his international allegiance from France, Billal Brahimi made his debut for the away side last time out in a 10-minute cameo off the bench.

George Mpole has scored in two of his last three outings for Tanzania, and the forward is definitely one to keep an eye on.

Twenty-year-old Haji Monga was hauled off with an injury against Niger, making him a huge doubt for Wednesday's contest.

Tanzania possible starting lineup:

Manula; Husseini, Mwamnyeto, Dickson, Shomari; Miroshi, Yassin; Samatta, Salum, Msuva; Mpole

Algeria possible starting lineup:

M'Bolhi; Benayada, Mandi, Touba, Bensebaini; Zerrouki, Zorgane, Bennacer; Belaili, Ghezzal, Slimani

We say: Tanzania 1-3 Algeria

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