CHLEF, Algeria (Interstat) — ASO Chlef and MC Alger opened their Algerian Ligue 1 campaigns with a 0-0 draw Friday at Stade Mohamed Boumezrag. The result defied pregame projections that heavily favored the visiting side.

Interstat’s game simulator had predicted a 1-1 scoreline, while its ELO system gave MC Alger a 73.6% probability to win. Neither attack could break through, however, in a match defined by six yellow cards issued after halftime.

The defensive stalemate leaves both clubs with identical early records of 0 wins, 0 losses and 1 draw in the league and across all competitions this season.