Algeria-Russia Preview: Make or break for Capello's men

Fabio Capello. Photo: Getty Images

Algeria and Russia will meet in Curitiba seeking a place in the knockout stages of the World Cup. Coaches Fabio Capello and Vahid Halilhodzic want to accompany Belgium, leaders of Group H, and earn their spot amongst the top 16 teams of the tournament.

For Russia, things have not been easy. The draw against South Korea and the defeat suffered against Belgium has left them in a precarious position. Capello's team, as hosts of the next World Cup in 2018, want to impress but Algeria are not the ideal rival for them to face at this point, Pilar Suarez writes in goal.com.

They may have lost 2-1 to Belgium but comprehensively defeated the Koreans with a 4-2 victory, inscribing their name in history by becoming the first African team to score four goals in a World Cup match.

Vahid Halilhodzic. Photo: Getty Images

The game between Algeria and South Korean caught the attention of the world, and for some it was one of the best games we have seen in the tournament so far.

The match between Algeria and Russia also promises much. Intensity will be in abundance and the battle will be fierce. Capello knows this is no time for favourites, but his reputation and that of his side are at stake. They must give a performance to impress ahead of their host duties in four years.