Algeria take on Tunisia on Thursday the 19th of January in what will be a massive game in Group B at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. The North African rivals both failed to win in their first group matches, with Algeria drawing 2-2 with Zimbabwe and Tunisia losing 2-0 to Senegal.

The Carthage Eagles will be the first team to go out of the competition if Algeria win, so the Desert Foxes should be expecting another tough match. Algeria played Tunisia in the group stages four years ago at AFCON 2013, where a last minute goal from Youssef Msakni was the difference.

Manager Georges Leekens has confirmed that Hilal Soudani picked up an injury so he will not be playing. We are likely to see Sofiane Hanni replace Soudani, and Yacine Brahimi taking the up the left wing position. Rais M’Bolhi has also picked up a knock, which would be a huge blow to the 1990 champions, meaning Malik Asselah could come into the side.

Mokhtar Belkhiter will most probably be dropped after his poor first half performance against Zimbabwe, giving Mohamed Meftah the opportunity to start the game at right-back.

Leekens has a good knowledge of the Tunisian national team, having managed them at the last Africa Cup of Nations where he took them all the way to the quarter-finals.

Algeria vs Tunisia kicks off in Franceville at 4pm (UK)/5pm (DZ), and is live on Eurosport and Bein Sports.