Jordan
Algeria
Both sides head to Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara on zero points, making this Group J clash close to must-win for whoever wants to keep their last-32 hopes realistic. Jordan, at their first-ever World Cup, lost 3-1 to Austria but got something to cheer with their first-ever World Cup goal, while Algeria were dismantled by a Lionel Messi hat-trick in a 3-0 defeat to Argentina that put manager Vladimir Petkovic under early pressure back home. Algeria remain heavy favourites on paper, but a flat opener has left them with real questions to answer.
Jordan — Al-Nashama
There were promising signs in defeat against Austria, with Jordan defending for long spells before a set piece and Yazan Al Arab's own goal did the damage rather than any real tactical breakdown. Ali Olwan's strike — the nation's first-ever World Cup goal — and Mousa Al Tamari's general threat in behind give head coach Jamal Sellami something to build on. Sellami is expected to keep the same compact back-three system that lets the wing-backs support the attack and frees Tamari to roam — Jordan defended well as a unit against Austria, so there's little incentive to change the structure now.
The back three of Mohammad Abualnadi, Yazan Al Arab and Saed Al Rosan, and the midfield four in front of them, are predicted to stay unchanged, with goalkeeper Yazid Abulaila continuing between the posts. Up top, Tamari again leads the line as the spearhead of any counter-attacking threat, flanked by Olwan and Odeh Fakhoury — between them they account for the bulk of Jordan's set-piece deliveries, with Tamari and Olwan sharing penalty duties.
Algeria — Les Fennecs
Petkovic has a job on his hands lifting his side after they barely laid a glove on Argentina — shorn of their two most dangerous attackers from the off, Algeria's display drew unflattering comparisons to sides ranked far below them, and the manager will have noted the alarm it caused. There is some encouragement on the fitness front, with Ramy Bensebaini reported to be back to full health after a fitness scare, and Petkovic is predicted to restore both Riyad Mahrez and Mohamed Amine Amoura to the starting front three after the pair were left out against Argentina — a clear sign the manager wants more genuine difference-makers on the pitch from the off against a Jordan side capable of hurting teams who aren't at their sharpest.
In behind the front three, Hicham Boudaoui, Ibrahim Maza and Nabil Bentaleb are tasked with controlling tempo and supplying Mahrez, Amoura and Fares Chaibi, while Rayan Ait Nouri and Rafik Belghali provide the width from full-back that Algeria will need to break down a side as well-organised as Jordan showed themselves to be against Austria. Luca Zidane continues in goal, with Aissa Mandi alongside Bensebaini at the heart of the defence.
Predicted Lineups
Key Battle
Mousa Al Tamari vs Algeria's full-backs. Jordan's clearest route to a goal is Tamari running in behind as Ait Nouri and Belghali push forward in search of an equally pressing win. If Jordan can win the ball back quickly and release him, his pace and finishing are a genuine threat on the counter — exactly the kind of moment that could drag them back into this group.
Prediction
Algeria have the better individual quality across the pitch and the greater need to put a flat performance right, with Mahrez and Amoura both restored to add some much-needed sharpness. Jordan will make this uncomfortable for periods and carry a real threat through Tamari, but Algeria should have enough in the final third this time to get the win their group situation demands.
Jordan 1–2 Algeria — Tamari — Amoura, Mahrez
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