OUARGLA, Algeria (Interstat) — Paradou AC visits RB Ouargla on Saturday in a Coupe Nationale matchup at Stade OPOW de Rouissat, with the visitors heavily favored to advance despite recent struggles.

Paradou (10-14-8 overall in all competitions this season, based on available results) enters the knockout fixture having lost four of its last five matches, including a 4-2 defeat at USM Alger on May 22. The only win in that stretch came April 17, a 1-0 decision at MC El Bayadh. The team’s form has been erratic: after a 0-1 loss at USM Khenchela on April 5 and a 3-0 defeat to CR Belouizdad on April 1, Paradou dropped consecutive decisions to ES Mostaganem (3-2) and MC Alger (2-0) in March. A 4-3 loss at Oued Akbou on Feb. 21 and a 5-3 home defeat to ES Ben Aknoun on Feb. 14 underscore defensive vulnerabilities.

RB Ouargla (0-1-1 in its two known results this season) has not played a competitive match since May 1, when IB Khémis El Khechna won 1-0 in Ouargla. The home side’s only other recorded result was a 1-1 draw with MO Constantine on Oct. 27, 2025. The prolonged layoff could present a challenge against a Paradou side that has played regularly.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 1-0 victory for Paradou AC, and the company’s ELO system gives the visitors an 82.20 percent probability of winning.

Paradou’s attacking options have been inconsistent. Over its past 10 matches, the team scored multiple goals only three times, but also conceded at least three in five of those contests. Defensive organization will be critical against a home side eager to exploit any rust.

RB Ouargla will rely on the advantage of playing on its own pitch in the southeastern city. The Coupe Nationale knockout format leaves no room for error; a draw would likely force extra time and penalties.

Saturday’s winner advances in the tournament. Paradou then returns to Ligue 1 action June 5, hosting ES Setif.

Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. local time.