MC Oran vs JS Saoura Prediction: A tough encounter than it looks on paper

Week one action in the Algeria Ligue 1 will see JS Saoura travel to Bir El Djir to take on MC Oran at Miloud Hadefi Stadium. Heading into the new season, these two sides will have high aspirations of finishing in the top spots. Will there be a winner in this opener?

MC Oran struggled the previous season as this team could only avoid relegation. In 30 league matches, MC Oran accumulated just 36 points, scoring 26 goals while conceding 33. Finishing 14th last season, MC Oran head into this game with a win in two of their previous matches, coming against Al Thaid and Al-muharraq. In the meantime, MC Oran head into this game with two other defeats against MC Alger and Al Marhiya while playing to a goalless draw with Kyrgyzstan.

JS Saoura will look to do better this season after finishing 9th in the league the previous year. In 30 league matches, the visiting team accumulated 40 points, scoring 34 games while conceding 37. However, JS Saoura's run of matches into this game saw JS Saoura win two games, coming against Paradou AC and USM Alger. In the meantime, JS Saoura lost to Khechela and CR Belouizdad while playing to a draw with Kabylie. 

The previous meetings in this game have ended with close scores, as the two sides have not secured a win in the past matches. While JS Saoura are underdogs here, I believe being on the road could be an issue for them in this one. While MC Oran are the better team here, I think they have a chance at home, but JS Saoura should display a lot of strong defensive play. Expect few goals in this game, while MC Oran go top of the league standings.