ES Ben Aknoun, USM Alger, CR Belouizdad, and CS Constantine, who jointly occupy the top spot of the temporary standings, will thus have the opportunity to confirm their promising start to the season. However, all four squads will have to manage the field factor, which could play an essential role in matches where the hosting teams will be extremely motivated to preserve their home invincibility.
ES Ben Aknoun will consequently make a trip to Khenchela to battle Billel Dziri’s USMK, in a match that promises to be particularly fierce. The home side, eager to take full advantage of their venue, will attempt to secure their first victory of the season, while the visitors aim to maintain their faultless run and retain their leadership chair. On its end, USM Alger will travel to Akbou to contend against Olympique Akbou. The Red and Black must remain vigilant against a local team that intends to capitalize on this encounter to gather precious points in front of its home crowd at Martyrs Stadium, which will host its very first official match following its recent approval.
CR Belouizdad will be the guest of US Biskra, in a showdown that also promises great commitment. The Biskri club will seek to validate the draw brought back from Algiers against ESB, while Chabab, bolstered by its success against ES Setif (1-0), will travel with the goal of departing with a positive result allowing them to stay in contact with the lead group.
However, the fixture likely to draw the most attention during this third round will take place at the 8-May Stadium in Setif, where the local Entente will host CS Constantine in an eastern derby that promises to be intense. Currently sitting as the bottom team with zero points on the counter after two consecutive defeats, ES Setif no longer has any room for error. Before its public, the “Black Eagle” must imperatively react in order to kickstart its campaign and avoid sinking deeper into a worrying situation early on.
This third round will also be marked by the entrance of MC Alger and JS Saoura, whose first two fixtures were delayed due to their participation in the initial preliminary round of the CAF Champions League. The triple reigning champion of Algeria, MC Alger, will entertain MB Rouissat, who distinguished itself during the previous round by dominating Olympique Akbou at home (2-0). Mouloudia, revitalized by its brilliant qualification in the continental competition, now possesses a prime chance to launch its league campaign at home, but must beware of a confident Rouissat lineup.
JS Saoura will travel to the grounds of the newly promoted JS El Biar. Following two straight losses, the Algiers club will attempt to take advantage of its new home venue at Omar-Benrabah Stadium in Dar El Beida to grab its first points among the elite, taking advantage along the way of its opponent’s elimination from the African Champions League. JS Kabylie will make a trip to face the other newcomer, CR Ain Temouchent. The “Canaries” must beware of a local squad that intends to leverage the enthusiasm tied to its promotion to deliver a great performance before its supporters.
The other highly anticipated matchup of this round will unfold in the western region of the country, featuring a clash between ASO Chlef and MC Oran. This confrontation between two historical organizations of the region should offer a spectacle worthy of the rivalry that opposes both clubs.