Algerian Ligue 2 Preview: USM Annaba vs. Oued Akbou

AIN BERDA, Algeria (Interstat) — Oued Akbou visits USM Annaba on Friday, May 1, 2026, in a Week 17 matchup of Algeria’s Ligue 2 at Stade Municipal Colonel Chabou Abdelkader. The visitors enter as heavy favorites according to Interstat’s ELO system, which gives them a 66.60 percent probability of victory and projects a 2-0 final score.

Oued Akbou (Olympique Akbou in some records) arrives after a narrow 2-1 loss at MC Alger on Tuesday, April 28, a match in which substitute Benaouda Klileche provided an assist after entering in the 90th minute. Klileche, a midfielder, has been a productive spark off the bench and will be one to watch. Other contributors in that defeat included midfielders Chahreddine Boukholda and Mehdi Boucherit, who both were substituted.

The visitors own a mixed recent run. In their last five matches before the MC Alger loss, Oued Akbou posted a 1-0 win at ASO Chlef on April 17, a 1-0 victory at ES Setif on April 11, a 1-1 draw at MB Rouisset on April 3, a 1-0 win at CS Constantine on March 17, and a 2-2 draw at MC El Bayadh on March 13. Earlier in the season, they produced notable results including a 4-3 win at Paradou AC, a 1-0 win at MC Oran, and draws with ES Ben Aknoun and USM Alger.

USM Annaba, meanwhile, is coming off a 1-0 loss at JS Djidjel on Tuesday, April 21. That defeat ended a three-match unbeaten run that included a 0-0 draw at MO Constantine on April 17, a 0-0 draw at Chabab Riadhi Beni Thour on April 10, and a 3-0 win at US Biskra on April 4. The home side’s form has been erratic: they also posted a 2-1 win at Khemis El Khechna on March 28, a 1-0 win at HB Chelgoum Laid on March 14, a 3-1 loss at MSP Batna on March 6, and a 1-0 win at US Chaouia on Feb. 27. Earlier wins against Beni Oulbane and AS Khroub featured 3-0 score lines, while they opened the season with a 1-0 victory at Jeun Menaiel.

Friday’s match carries significance for both sides as the season approaches its later stages. Oued Akbou will look to build on its strong ELO rating and recent road success, while USM Annaba aims to reverse a losing streak and capitalize on home advantage at the 20,000-seat stadium in Aïn Berda. Kickoff is scheduled for late afternoon local time.