Algeria vs Burkina Faso Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Algeria headed into the 2025/26 CAF Africa Cup of Nations as one of the leading favourites for the trophy as they now take on Burkina Faso in north Africa this week.

Kick-off date/time:

How to watch on TV: UK – Matches will be televised across the Channel 4 network / USA – beIN Sports

How to watch online: UK – All 4 & Channel 4 Sport YouTube / USA – beIN Sports Connect & Fubo

Algeria preview: Dominant Algeria 

Under the management of former Switzerland boss Vladimir Petkovic, Algeria have improved and returned to being one of the better teams in Africa with an impressive squad, both in terms of quality and depth.

They come into this one on the back of easing to a comfortable 3-0 win over Sudan in Group E the other day. Riyad Mahrez notched a brace for the Algerians before former Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Ibrahim Maza scored late on.

Burkina Faso preview: Improved Burkinabe

In the last decade or so, Burkina Faso had emerged as one of the stronger sides in Africa before declining again in the last 12 to 18 months, but again improving, albeit finishing below Egypt in Group A of African qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Burkina Faso began their AFCON group stage with a 2-1 defeat of Equatorial Guinea at Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca. The Equatorial Guineans scored late on before second-half stoppage-time goals for Burkina Faso turned the game on its head.

Algeria team news: Maza forcing his way in

The only change that Algeria may be tempted to make would to bring in the aforementioned Maza, who has been excellent for Leverkusen so far this season.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Zidane; Belghali, Mandi, Bensebaini, Ait-Nouri; Boudaoui, Bennacer; Mahrez, Maza, Amoura; Bounedjah

Unavailable: 

Questionable: 

Burkina Faso team news: Potential changes

Burkina Faso come from Casablanca with a fully fit and available squad and, albeit they may be tempted to make some changes, though that seems unlikely with the dropping of Bertrand Traore surely not on the cards.

Predicted XI (4-3-3): Koffi; Yago, Tapsoba, Dayo, Kouassi; Toure, Ouedraogo, Sangare; Ouattara, Kabore, Traore

Unavailable: 

Questionable: 

Algeria vs Burkina Faso prediction

With an impressive level of depth and quality in their squad, Algeria will fancy themselves to again take the game to the opposition and play in quite an attacking and fluent style. They face a Burkina Faso side that lack depth but have some real genuine quality in the final third, such as Bertrand Traore and Dango Ouattara. The Algerians should come out on top in a game in which both teams scoring seems a good bet.

Algeria vs Burkina Faso tip: Algeria to win & both teams to score