Algeria are not used to losing at home; they haven't tasted defeat in their own backyard in over a decade. Burkina Faso will know the magnitude of the task that they face when they travel to Algeria for the second leg of their World Cup qualifier.
Burkina Faso will also be aware, though, that a draw will see them through to the World Cup in Brazil having won a tense first leg 3-2.
Algeria will bank on their tremendous record at the Mustapha Tchaker Stadium in Blida, where they are unbeaten for the last 19 matches - a mark that stretches way back to 2002.
The home side have been tipped to overcome Burkina Faso, owing to their brilliant record at home, but former Algeria skipper Antha Yahia has warned against taking the side, that recently went all the way to the African Cup of Nations final, for granted.
"Algeria will be the favourites to win going by their record against Burkina Faso -- this is what the media have suggested -- but the most important thing is really what happens on the pitch," Yahia was quoted as saying by BBC Sport.
"Burkina Faso reached the final of the Africa Cup of Nations this year and they have proved to be a very good team. They only need a draw to qualify and so it could be difficult for Algeria, who also need to be cautious when going forward."
The first leg was a controversial one wherein Burkina Faso won 3-2, after Algeria had fought back twice to make it 2-2, via a debatable penalty decision.
There will be a sense of injustice among the Algeria ranks and coach Vahid Halilhodzic said the need for a victory over Burkina Faso is as high as it's ever been. "I've never had such a desire to win as now," he said. "The defeat in the first leg in Ouagadougou really got to me. I hardly slept the following week."
Burkina Faso are chasing the dream of qualifying for their first ever World Cup, and if coach Paul Put can inspire his side to an improbable victory, then he will be a national hero, without doubt.
"Algeria are respected because they have a very good team, they have players who play in the major leagues, they have much more experience and have played in three World Cups, but in football anything is possible," he told dzfoot.com.
Where to Watch Live
The game is scheduled for a 7.15 pm local time (11.45 pm IST) start with no live coverage in India. To catch the action live streaming online through Bein Sport in the U.S. click HERE. To watch it live online via Al Jazeera Sport in the Middle East and North Africa, click HERE. To live stream it in the U.K. via the BT Sport online player, click HERE.
