ALGIERS, Algeria (Interstat) — The 2025-26 Algerian Ligue 2 season kicks off Tuesday with a matchup between Sour El-Ghozlane and Hamra Annaba, a contest statistical models heavily favor the hosts to win.

The game, scheduled for Oct. 28, 2025, at Stade Mohamed Derradji, marks the beginning of the campaign for both clubs. According to Interstat’s ELO system, Sour El-Ghozlane enters with a 71.10 percent probability of securing a victory in the Week 1 fixture. The same analytics firm projects a narrow 1-0 final score in favor of the home side.

Recent history provides a starkly different backdrop for each team. Sour El-Ghozlane is looking to rebound from a demoralizing 5-1 defeat to USM Annaba in its last competitive outing on June 1, 2024. Hamra Annaba, meanwhile, has not played a official match since a 1-1 draw with US Chaouia on June 3, 2023, a significant layoff that could impact their match fitness.

Both teams hold identical 0-0 records in the new Ligue 2 season and across all competitions, presenting a clean slate. The pressure will be on Sour El-Ghozlane to validate the statistical projections and start their promotion push with three points at home, while Hamra Annaba aims to defy the odds and spoil the season opener.