USA v Algeria Betting Preview

Written by Dave Allan Monday, 21 June 2010 20:26

Betting Odds

USA have shown all their betting qualities in this World Cup so far but it is time for them to show that they can play a little too as this must-win game against Algeria looms. A victory for the States will allow them passage through to the next round but this will not be easy as their opposition are in a similar if not a little leakier, boat.

Clint Dempey’s tame shot that ended Robert Green’s World Cup prematurely was welcome in the first group game against England, but the first half against Slovenia highlighted the weakness of this current crop of players. Slovenia controlled the ball well in the first period of the game and an ageing defence struggled to cope with the good movement from the opposition.  Had Slovenia not thought that the job was done by half time USA could have easily lost the game but they showed true grit to get back into it and in the end were a little unlucky?

Landon Donovan aside there is a real lack of quality in their line up and Bob Bradley has struggled to provide a decent strike-partner for the useful Jozy Altidore whose pace has provided a real cutting edge.

Algeria find themselves at the bottom of the group having largely outplayed Slovenia in the first game and having almost completely nullified the threat of Group C favourites England last time out. The Desert Foxes are unlikely to field a 3-6-1 formation this time though and they like the USA need to win this game to provide at least an opportunity to progress.

Technically Algeria have been the best team in the group with most of their players comfortable on the ball but the fact that they have not been able to put the ball into the back of the net yet tells a tale.

The Desert Foxes lack a real goal-getter and yet again they are likely to play more of a counter-attacking style which places the emphasis on midfielders to bomb on and get into the box to score.

Ranked 30th in the World they had been seen as notionally the worst team in the group but they have mastered the light ball and conditions as well as most and are desperately unlucky to be at the bottom of the group with only a solitary point. 

| More...

Comments (0)