Algeria may omit Mohamed Tougai and Youcef Atal from the March squad, suggesting defensive rotation. Punters should expect more bench players to start, making Algeria a riskier clean-sheet bet—consider markets like BTTS or Over 1.5 goals in those friendlies and back minutes-for-fringe-players rather than player-specific anytime scorer wagers.
Petkovic faces tough calls ahead of March training camp
Vladimir Petkovic prepares to finalise his Algeria squad for the March training camp in Italy, where the team will face Guatemala and Uruguay. With World Cup 2026 preparations underway, selection choices are taking on a clearer tactical purpose rather than purely form-driven picks.
Two established names unlikely to make the trip
Mohamed Tougai and Youcef Atal are reported as unlikely to be included in the upcoming squad. Their probable absence signals a shift toward rotation and gives staff opportunities to assess alternative defensive and wingback options ahead of competitive qualifiers.
Tactical and squad-balance implications
Atal’s pace and attacking contribution from the right flank have been valuable, but his reduced role suggests Petkovic may prioritise players who better fit a specific system or current match plans. Tougai’s omission opens space for other centre-back pairings to be tested. Overall balance is expected to hold, but the personnel change could mean more experimentation in both defence and transitional play.
What this means for World Cup planning
Dropping regulars for a friendly camp is consistent with a manager looking to broaden his options. These tests will help Petkovic evaluate depth and adaptability, identifying reliable backups and shaping a more versatile squad for the 2026 cycle.
Betting angles and what to watch
Friendlies with rotation typically increase goal volatility.
Expect more minutes for fringe players and trialled systems, which can make clean-sheet markets less predictable.
Bettors may prefer BTTS, Over 1.5/2.5 goals, or player minutes markets over anytime-scorer bets for long-term starters like Atal and Tougai if they are absent.
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Monitor final squad confirmation and starting lineups before placing match markets.
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