Zamalek vs USM Alger: who will lift the CAF Confederation Cup?
USM Alger
The second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final will see Zamalek face USM Alger on Saturday, 16 May, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 CET. I’m offering a betting pick for this clash.
Zamalek vs USM Alger: match facts and H2H
- Zamalek lost the first leg 0-1.
- Zamalek have won only one of their last four matches.
- Zamalek have scored just one goal across their last four games.
- USM Alger are unbeaten in their last six matches, recording three draws and three wins.
- USM Alger have scored in each of their last five matches.
- In 21% of matches this season, both Zamalek and USM Alger have scored.
- Zamalek have won 37% of their matches this season to nil, while USM Alger have done so in 24%.
- The two teams have met three times, with USM Alger winning twice and one match ending in a draw.
Zamalek vs USM Alger: match preview
The first leg was decided by a single goal deep into stoppage time, scored in the 90+8th minute from the penalty spot. Zamalek had previously found the net, but the goal was disallowed following a VAR review. Now, back on home soil, the Egyptian side will do everything possible to produce a comeback and turn the tie around.
Before reaching this final, Zamalek defeated Otoho d’Oyo 3-2 across two legs in the quarter-finals, before overcoming Belouizdad 1-0 in the semi-finals. In the group stage, they collected 11 points. Domestically, Zamalek currently sit top of the Egyptian Premier League with 53 points, two points clear of second place, with just one match remaining. That means the club could be on the verge of winning two trophies in the space of a few days if they secure victory.
USM Alger sit in the lower half of the Algerian league table, with 30 points from 23 matches and five games in hand, meaning they still have time to climb away from danger. In the Confederation Cup group stage, they collected 14 points from six matches and progressed to the knockout rounds from first place. In the quarter-finals, they eliminated AS Maniema Union 2-2 on aggregate, before defeating Olympique Safi 1-1 in the semi-finals, advancing thanks to away goals.
Probable line-ups
- Zamalek: Awad, Gaber, El-Wensh, Fatouh, Abdelmaguid, Said, Maher, Shehata, Emad, Jaziri, Shalaby
- USM Alger: Benbot, Mahrouz, Loucif, Alilet, Mondeko, Merghem, Benzaza, Chita, Ghacha, Benayad, Khaldi
Prediction
We are set for a tense encounter that is unlikely to produce many goals. However, I believe the home side Zamalek will find a way to win this match, and my recommended bet is a Zamalek victory.
