Slovenia v Algeria

The two outsiders in Group C get their World Cup underway and with both teams harbouring ambitions to reach the knockout phases three points will be more than vital, a draw could knock both teams out after just one game.

Even the FIFA rankings think there isn't too much between these two teams with less than ten places separating them, could they end up cancelling each other out and sharing the points or will it be a narrow victory?

Slovenia v Algeria Match Odds

A bet on the winner of the match is always a popular one and gives you a bet that lasts right up until the final whistle. In competitive games like this there are good odds on both sides.

BACK SLOVENIA TO BEAT ALGERIA

Although there isn't a massive amount between these two teams (just eight places in the FIFA rankings) it seems the bookies may have slightly underestimated Slovenia. They are not a bad team at all and although this game should be pretty close, it is still a bit of a surprise to see Slovenia being quoted at odds against with some bookies. There is a small chance of a draw but it should prove best to play on a Slovenia win here, especially with their tight defence that conceded just four goals in ten games in qualifying.

Slovenia v Algeria Asian Handicap Odds

Asian Handicap is slightly different to regular match betting, usually one side is given a lead to make the game more equal, and therefore more competitive as a betting contest.

BACK SLOVENIA -0.25

There really isn't much between these two sides but if one side has an advantage it has to be the European qualifers who are more capable of winning this game than Algeria. The safest bet in the asian handicap simply has to be Slovenia -0.25.

Slovenia v Algeria Goals Odds

Many bets can be placed related on how many goals there will be in the match so working out whether it will be high scoring or low scoring is usually a must before betting on the game.

Slovenia Recent Competitive Results

Algeria Recent Competitive Results

BACK UNDER 2.5 GOALS AND SLOVENIA TO BEAT ALGERIA 1-0

Slovenia conceded just four goals in their qualifying group for the World Cup in all ten games and that shows how tight defensively they can be, the only team that conceded fewer goals in the European qualifying section was Holland and they only had to play eight games in their group so you could argue Slovenia had the best defence in Europe during qualifying.

Over the past 14 months two thirds of Algeria's games have seen at least one clean sheet, even two clean sheets on several occasions, so it is clear Algeria too are quite fond of tight games.

All this points to a low scoring encounter, under 2.5 goals is a good looking bet whilst in the correct score betting we should be concentrating on 1-0 to either team, or even 0-0, as we fancy Slovenia to win the match we will be going for a 1-0 win to the Europeans.

Slovenia v Algeria Player Odds

A look at the best bets involving the players of the match, usually the most popular bets in this category revolve around who will score the goals in the match.

Slovenia v Algeria Team News

The fitness of Milivoje Novakovic for Slovenia will be imperative if they are to overcome Algeria, Milivoje Novakovic is the main goal threat for Slovenia and they will probably struggle to break down Algeria without him. Likewise Algeria will be looking to their captain Yazid Mansouri and veteran goalscorer Rafik Saifi to give them the best chance of three points in the World Cup Group C clash.

BACK MILIVOJE NOVAKOVIC TO SCORE FIRST AGAINST ALGERIA

The goal threats for each team are likely to be Milivoje Novakovic for Slovenia and Rafik Saifi for Algeria, whichever team you fancy to get the first goal you are probably better off going for one of those players. With Slovenia rated slightly more likely to break the deadlock than Algeria it should prove best to back Milivoje Novakovic to score the first goal of the game and his first goal of the World Cup 2010. He was by far Slovenia;s biggest goal threat in qualifying with five goals and is fancied to continue that form into the World Cup proper.

Slovenia v Algeria Half Time Odds

Your bets don't have to just be on what happens by the end of the game, you can bet on what happens by half time, in conjunction or not with the full time result.

BACK DRAW / SLOVENIA IN THE HALF TIME / FULL TIME BETTING

We think this will be low scoring which is normally a pretty good indication that it will be a drae at half time and that is backed up from Algeria's most recent qualifiers, they conceded just two goals in the first half of their most recent six games. Slovenia scored 50% more goals in the second half of their most recent six qualifers and everything points to it being 0-0 at half time and Slovenia scoring their winner in the second half.

Slovenia v Algeria Best Bet

All of the important stats above seem to indicate that this game could be very low scoring and given we think Slovenia are a good bet to win the game, it seems worth boosting the odds on that bet by backing them to win 1-0, and if you do it with Bet365 and the game finished 0-0 you get your money back, which minimises the risk even further.