USM Alger vs Kabylie Prediction: Turf advantage will be a huge determinant here

Stade Nelson Mandela will host this round 19 Algeria Ligue 1 encounter between USM Alger and Kabylie. Both teams head into this game, seated 6th and 7th in the league standings. How will this game end?

USM Alger got eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup after failing to follow the CAF rules, and they now have a big job to do to make it to CAF spots for next season. In their last league game, USM Alger played US Biskra, and this team secured a 3-1 win, with Abderrahmane Bacha, Zineddine Belaid, and Ismail Belkacemi all scoring for them. Now, heading into this game, USM Alger have won all their last seven league games. The home team has now accumulated 35 points this season from 20 matches.

Kabylie are coming off a hard-fought victory against Ben Aknoun in their last league game; in that encounter, Kabylie had to come from behind, with goals from Ahmed Mammeri and Adem Redjem both having huge impacts on this side. In the meantime, Kabylie have now won consecutive games, with one other coming against MC Oran. In the meantime, those wins were their only victories in as many as their last eight games in all competitions, losing four and drawing two others.

The last five meetings between these sides saw Kabylie win twice while USM Alger won one. In two other games, we witnessed draws. Kabylie scored three goals, while USM Alger scored two.

The previous outcomes of this encounter will not matter here. Kabylie are not at a high level at the moment compared to the USM Alger's level of play. Regardless, this will still be a close and competitive game, where both teams will surely have their chances. There is no doubt that USM Alger should win at home, looking at how improved and formed this side has been in the league, but the two teams should be able to get on the scoresheet.