Algeria will need to break a six-month goal-scoring drought if they are to have any chance of beating the United States on Wednesday and keep alive their slim hopes of advancing in the World Cup.

"Les Fennecs" have not scored in open play since their miraculous quarter-final triumph over Cote d’Ivoire at January’s African Cup of Nations finals.

They will need a repeat of that gutsy performance to beat the formidable Americans and stand any chance of advancing.

With just a single point from their first two matches, Algeria must win by two goals against the USA at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

Their goalless draw with England in Cape Town last Friday rocked the World Cup’s form book and handed Algeria a massive boost after a run of poor form and multiple personnel changes.

But the game also continued their goal drought. The side’s only goal since the start of the year came from the penalty spot against the United Arab Emirates in their last World Cup warm-up match played in Germany.

The lack of form upfront has been a persistent problem for the north Africans, who have a workmanlike attack but without any established stars.

"I said we'd improve as time went by and that is what is happening and we are also growing in confidence and that is very important," said their coach Rabah Saadane. "The situation in the group is still open for every team to qualify."

Algeria will have Abdelkader Ghezzal back from a one-match suspension but are not likely to tinker much with the team that held the mighty English.

The USA have drawn both of their first two matches but a controversial refereeing decision robbed them of a deserved comeback win over Slovenia in their last game.

“Being down 2-0 with your World Cup on the line is a difficult and daunting task to overcome,” said the American’s key player, Landon Donovan, “but the way we’ve been hardened in a lot of ways over the years has made that possible, and I think we’re extremely excited for Wednesday.”