After a slow start at the global showdown in Qatar, African champions Senegal have risen and turn things around as they reached the last 16 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. But the Lions of Teranga will face tough opponents in the shape of England.
To Win Match
England 52/100 | Draw 14/5 | Senegal 11/2
The World Cup has got to a/n entertaining stage as we reach the knockout stages and Gareth Southgate has another chance to lead his side all the way to the final and better their fourth-place finish in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. As always, the three Lions have been amongst the favourites to win the global showpiece, but know they have to get past African champions Senegal in order to progress to the quarter-finals.
The likes of Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane have been influential for England in the group stages, with Rashford scoring three goals, while Saka opened his account with a brace against Iran and Kane contributing with three assists to help his side top Group B.
The frontline will need to be ready to take their chances in front of goal and break through the partnership of Chelsea stars Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy. The Three Lions will also be relying on Jude Bellingham to put in another shift alongside Declan Rice in midfield, while Chelsea boys Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling need to bring their A-game following poor performances in the last two games.
Given the star-studded talent in his squad, Southgate will be confident his side have enough to see off Senegal. And the loss of their talisman Sadio Mane will only add to their confidence.
This is Senegal’s third World Cup; in 2002 they reached the quarter-finals of the world stage captained by Aliou Cisse, their current head coach. And in 2018, the Lions of Teranga could only come close to qualifying for the knockout stages. Now that they’ve reached the last 16, the African champions need to be more creative and cautious as they take on England.
Despite scoring five goals, Cisse’s side have squandered clear-cut goalscoring opportunities, and had their star man Mane been on the pitch, I believe they could have scored more and possibly got on the scoresheet against Netherlands. Other than that, the Senegalese have what it takes to beat England, they just need to work on their finishing.
This will not be an easy task for Senegal and the likes of Idrissa Gueye, Pathe Ciss and Pape Gueye will have to work extra hard in midfield to prevent the combination of Bellingham and Rice from pulling the strings, while captain Koulibaly will surely be tasked to stop Kane. This will be the game of taking chances up front for Senegal, and they need to show why they were crowned African champions.
Prediction: Both Teams to Score (5/4)
The Three Lions have been backed as the team to win, but Senegal will come into this match highly motivated looking to give them a run. Instead of picking a winner, I believe Both Teams to Score at 5/4 is a safer bet and offers more value.
