World Cup
2026-06-27 - Algeria vs Austria
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: World Cup Group J Match Day 3
Saturday 27th June 2026 - Kick Off 9pm (CST)
British Time 3am
Algeria
They fell behind after already losing to Argentina in the Group and the pressure would have intensified on the Algeria players as they stared elimination in the face against Jordan. Fighting back to earn a point would have kept hopes of progression alive, but Algeria managed to turn things around completely and the eventual 2-1 win means they are in a position to Qualify for the Last 32.
This Group is the last to be played and so Algeria are going to know exactly what they need to progress, but early results have not been the best for them. Ultimately they are in control of their own destiny and one more point would be enough to earn at least a best third place spot, while a win over Austria would take Algeria through without worrying about any permutations.
Algeria will feel they let themselves down against Argentina in the first game at the World Cup and the 3-0 defeat would have hurt considering the defensive performances in the friendly games building up to the 2026 World Cup Finals. They earned a win over Netherlands in that run, but Algeria are back on track following the win over Jordan.
The system was tweaked in the second game in the Group and key players were restored to the starting line up to give Algeria a more familiar look.
Predicted Line Up: Zidane, Belghali, Ait-Nouri, Mandi, Bensebaini, Benbouali, Bentaleb, Maza, Mahrez, Chaibi and Gouiri (4-2-3-1)
Austria
Before the tournament began, the number crunchers stated that three points and a minus two goal difference would likely be enough to take a team through to the Last 32 even as a third place team. However, results early in the tournament, especially the draws, have opened up a number of opportunities for those third place teams to pick up four points and there is now a bit more uncertainty as to what will be needed.
With that in mind, Ralf Rangnick and his Austria team are in a fortunate position of knowing exactly what they need when they kick off as they play in the last game of the Group. They are ahead of Algeria on goal difference so a draw would guarantee second place, although Austria have perhaps have had their margin for error reduced by conceding a late goal to lose to Argentina 2-0.
Austria had already beaten Jordan 3-1 and so have three points with a neutral goal difference and they will feel there are a number of permutations that would take them through, which likely includes a single goal margin of defeat. No one associated with the team would want to land in that pressurised position, but the situation will be very clear to all at kick off and Austria have three goals on the board, which gives them the edge over a number of potential rivals for a best third place spot.
The manager made one or two changes to the starting eleven for the game against Argentina and Ralf Rangnick is not in a position to make wholesale changes.
Predicted Line Up: Alexander Schlager, Posch, Laimer, Danso, Alaba, Seiwald, Xaver Schlager, Wanner, Schmid, Sabitzer and Gregoritsch (4-2-3-1)
Head to Head
These two nations met in the 1982 World Cup Group Stage that ended in a 0-2 win for Austria, although the controversy was yet to follow.
Prediction
The 'Disgrace of Gijon' has gone down in history and it resulted in a change made to how Group matches would be played going forward, at least the final round of Group matches.
Forty-four years later, Algeria have a chance to earn a measure of revenge against one of the nations involved in their elimination in 1982, but the 'Disgrace of Kansas City' has been the only talk of the town around this final fixture.
After Austria were beaten by Argentina and Algeria beat Jordan, everyone has noted that a point would likely be enough for both of these teams to go through. That is not only because the the eight of the third place teams are going through, but also because Algeria vs Austria is the last meaningful game to be played in the Group Stage and both will know exactly what they need to progress, which is increasingly looking like a point apiece.
The Knock Out ties begin on Sunday and this late Saturday night fixture is one where both managers may hope the players are not leaving too much out on the field with little to gain and everything to lose. Top spot is gone, and there are bigger fixtures coming up and so it is little surprise that the layers have priced the draw as a short priced favourite.
HOWEVER, there has been a big reason that this pick did not come out on Wednesday along with the other game in the Group.
There is actually a situation within this Group that a narrow Austria loss could suit them more than a draw- second place is expecting to play Spain in the Last 32, but the team finishing third is heading into a very good portion of the Knock Out Bracket with fixtures against Switzerland and then either Colombia/Croatia to make it through to the Quarter Final instead (at the time of writing).
It really does cloud the situation all the more, but that is something that may only work if results have been favourable beforehand and three points and a minus one goal difference may get Austria through.
Algeria of course would be happy with a draw and may not chase the win themselves, although that leaves them in a very vulnerable position having a minus two goal difference ahead of the final round of fixtures. Again, that is something to monitor right up to kick off, but it may end up being a fixture that is played out with little attacking threat the longer it goes on.
Backing the draw at the price looks unappealing, but there may be something in playing 'under 6.5 shots on target', which is priced up at a similar price to the draw.
That would be a play on the angle where a narrow loss for Austria is actually a better result for them than a draw, but Algeria will be well aware of the strong position third place could earn them in the Knock Out Bracket and it may mean a lack of real efforts on goal.
The closer we get to the Group Stage finishing, the more likely it feels that a point will do both teams and we could see a similar game to when Paraguay faced Australia, which finished with seven shots on target thanks to a late effort from the latter.
The Pick :
Algeria 0-0 Austria
