AFCON 2019 Final Odds & Pick: Senegal vs Algeria

• The AFCON finale is on Friday, July 19th
• Algeria and Senegal to contest the big prize
• Senegal start as favorites

The Africa Cup of Nations reaches its conclusion on Friday when Senegal play Algeria in Cairo at 3:00 pm EST. It matches North Africa and against West Africa and promises a grand finale in keeping with what has been a thrilling knockout phase.

Senegal vs Algeria AFCON Final Odds

Odds taken 07/16/19.

As the odds show, there is so little to choose between these two sides. Both qualified by the skin of their teeth from their respective semifinals but both have shown solidity, spirit and skill in qualifying for this final.

Senegal’s status as one of the favorites throughout the tournament is probably what has secured them favorite status here, but there really is little to separate these two very good teams.

Wall-to-Wall Quality

Both have an English Premier League star as their talisman – Riyad Mahrez for Algeria and Sadio Mane for Algeria – but also have plenty of experience and quality throughout their teams, much of it acquired through playing in Europe’s top leagues.

Reform Naija
What Mahrez said after AFCON 2-1 win over Super Eagles https://t.co/Z6o9NLxAOj
Algeria captain, Riyad Mahrez, has react… pic.twitter.com/KxfKTaI3ng

— Reform Naija (@reformnaija) July 15, 2019

Steady Does It

Senegal’s path to the final has been steady rather than spectacular. Of particular note is that, while they cruised to two comfortable wins in their group, their second game – against Algeria – was lost 1-0,  with the winner coming in the second-half from Youcef Belaili. Whether this has any bearing on Friday’s final remains to be seen.

Sadio Mane is on course to achieve his “absolute dream” of lifting the Africa Cup of Nations, as Senegal reached the final via a 1-0 wi… https://t.co/EJNxuln6Wv pic.twitter.com/K4Vn1TICX5

— Spotile (@spotile) July 14, 2019

The two group wins were both comfortable ones, a 2-0 win against Tanzania in their opener and a 3-0 victory over Kenya that assured their passage through to the knockout phase.

From thereon in it became tricky for the Senegalese and their round-of-16 tie with Uganda was settled only by an early goal from Mane. Their quarterfinal with Benin was also tight and nervy, and was again won by a 1-0 scoreline – this time the goal being scored by Everton’s Idrissa Gueye.

Unconvincing But Still Victorious

Their semifinal against Tunisia was also won by the same score, only this time they needed extra-time to finally secure the win. It was another unconvincing performance from Senegal, who needed to ride their luck on several occasions, but the deal was eventually sealed by an own goal from Tunisia defender Dylan Bronn.

So, while they have failed to hit any great heights in terms of performance levels, the Senegalese have been finding a way to win, and the old adage about not playing well and still winning certainly rings true. They have quality and durability – two priceless commodities – and will head into Friday’s final full of confidence.

Senegal vs Algeria Match-Ups

An Algerian Cruise

In terms of form, the Algerians edge the Senegalese, and in the shape of the talismanic Mahrez, they have the unofficial player of the tournament in their ranks. He has been simply brilliant so far and has always been there when his team has needed inspiration and leadership – including in the semifinal.

They negotiated the group stages with ease, and even though they kicked off in edgy fashion with a narrow 1-0 over Kenya, they found some real form in their second game with the aforementioned win over Senegal. With qualification already secured, they eased to a 3-0 win over Tanzania in their final group game.

Penalty Joy

They carried this form into the knockout stages, and an equally comfortable 3-0 win over Guinea in the round-of-16 set them up with a quarterfinal clash against a very strong Ivory Coast. In what turned out to be one of the best games of the tournament, the score was 1-1 after extra-time but the Algerians progressed thanks to a 4-3 win in the penalty shootout.

Both teams have an English Premier League star as their talisman but also have plenty of experience and quality throughout their teams

A 2-1 victory over an equally strong Nigeria team secured their place in the final, with an early lead being given to them via William Troost-Ekong’s own goal, but after the Super Eagles pulled level late on, Mahrez’ superb free-kick late in the dying seconds took his side through.

AFCON 2019: Disu gives reasons Nigeria lost 2-1 to Algeria https://t.co/u54A5azvKU pic.twitter.com/L4a6iCsfJq

— Heartlink (@sportishnews) July 15, 2019

North Africa to Triumph?

So, two quality teams, both packed full of talent, but one that is struggling for form and one that is in great form. And we think this, and also the fact they have the psychological boost of having already beaten their opponents in this competition, will see Mahrez lead his team to a narrow victory.

Our pick: Algeria to win after extra-time (EVEN)