CR Belouizdad vs US Biskra Prediction: A tough encounter than it looks on paper

Stade du 5 Juillet will be the venue for this round 23 Algeria Ligue 1 encounter between CR Belouizdad and US Biskra. Heading into this game, the hosts boast an unbeaten run, while the visitors are off a defeat at the hands of US Biskra. 

CR Belouizdad kept their unbeaten form intact earlier this week against Paradou this time, playing to a 1-1 draw. In that game, CR Belouizdad had to come back from behind to secure that one point, having been behind in the 54th minute, thanks to an 83rd-minute Mohamed Belkhir strike. In the meantime, it is worth noting that CR Belouizdad have lost just one of their ten league games, coming against USM Alger. In that span, other games saw them picking wins over Medeama, Kabylie, Khroub, Olympique Akbou, ES Setif, and Mostaganem while they were held to a goalless draw by Magra. Going into this game, CR Belouizdad are now seated in the 3rd spot in the league standings with 39 points from 21 league games.

US Biskra will head into this game following a defeat by USM Alger, coming in the Algeria Cup quarterfinals. In that game, US Biskra were able to force a draw at halftime, with Siam Cherif leveling their scores, having been behind in the 22nd minute. However, goals from Zineddine Belaid and Ismail Belkacemi in the 73rd and 78th minutes of the match for MC Alger handed US Biskra disqualification from the competition. In the meantime, prior encounters that defeat did see US Biskra pick wins over MC Oran and Kabylie, encounters that ended with 1-0 with identical scores. Heading into this game, US Biskra are now seated 7th in the league standings with 31 points from 22 games. In those matches, US Biskra scored 19 goals while conceding 21.

In the last five meetings between these sides, CR Belouizdad won two, while the previous three ended in draws. US Biskra scored two goals in those encounters, with CR Belouizdad notching three.

I expect both teams to come here strong and focused. The home team, CR Belouizdad, are working hard to make it to next year's CAF Champions Cup and are favorites to win. However, US Biskra have not lost to their hosts since 2022, which will boost their confidence. Regardless, I think the two teams are up to the task and betting on both teams' scoring is a good option. Also, with CR Belouizdad having a clear goal going into this fixture, a win at full-time with goals can be considered.