MOSTAGANEM, Algeria (Interstat) — ES Mostaganem hosts MC El Bayadh on Friday in an Algerian Ligue 1 match that carries contrasting momentum for two teams jostling for position in the second half of the season.

The June 5 fixture at Stade Mohamed Bensaïd pits a Mostaganem side that has drawn or lost in nine of its last 10 outings against an El Bayadh squad that has managed only one win in its past eight league matches.

Mostaganem enters the weekend after a 1-1 draw at USM Alger on May 12, its first point in four games. The result broke a three-match losing streak that included a 2-0 loss at Guir Abadla, a 4-0 thrashing at Saoura and a 3-0 defeat at USM Khenchela. The home side’s season has been marred by heavy losses — a 7-0 rout by CR Belouizdad on April 5 and a 3-0 reverse to Khenchela — though it did manage a 3-2 win at Paradou AC and a 2-2 draw at Kabylie in recent months.

El Bayadh played to a scoreless draw at Saoura on May 20, following a 2-1 loss at USM Khenchela on May 8. The visitors have not won since a 2-0 victory at MB Rouisset on Feb. 4. Since then, El Bayadh has drawn five and lost three in league play, including a 1-0 defeat at ASO Chlef and a 2-0 loss at MC Oran. A 2-2 draw at Oued Akbou and a 1-1 draw at CS Constantine highlight their ability to earn points on the road.

The head-to-head record favors El Bayadh. The visitors won 1-0 at Mostaganem on Jan. 8, the only meeting between the sides this season. That result extended El Bayadh’s recent dominance in the series.

Despite their respective struggles, both teams enter with similar league standing concerns. Mostaganem has shown occasional attacking threat — scoring three goals in the win at Paradou — but has conceded 18 goals in its past six matches. El Bayadh, meanwhile, has managed only four goals in its last eight games while allowing six.

The Interstat game simulator projects a 1-1 draw, reflecting the sides’ closely matched recent form and difficulty in finding consistent results.

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