France vs Senegal Predictions - High scoring contest expected in World Cup clash

John Eastwood

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Last updated: 1 hour ago

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John Eastwood 1 hour ago

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Both teams in great attacking form; France scored in last 10, Senegal in 9 of 10 matches.
Neither team has been reliably strong defensively lately.
Prediction: Both teams to score in this high-profile clash.

France (Getty Images)

France vs Senegal Predictions

This should be a cracking fixture with two in-form teams. France are among the favourites to win the tournament while Senegal are among the best Africa has to offer, and could go very deep into this tournament.

France vs Senegal Predictions
Head to Head
France Form
Senegal Form
France vs Senegal News & Predicted Line-ups

France have scored in their last 10 matches in all competitions.
France have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five matches in all competitions.
Senegal have scored in nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
Senegal have failed to keep a clean sheet in two of their last three matches in all competitions.

Head to Head

These two have only one previous meeting and that ended in a shock 1-0 Senegal win back in the 2002 opening FIFA World Cup.

France Form

France reached the final of the last two World Cups and come into this year's tournament as the favourites. Qualification was a breeze as Didier Deschamps' men went unbeaten, picking up five wins and a draw from six matches.

The build-up to the Mundial has been solid for Les Bleus, who are unbeaten in nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions, claiming a 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland in their final warm-up fixture. Their only defeat in this run came against another West African side, falling 2-1 to the Ivory Coast.

One of the reasons France are considered favourites is their stacked attack, with Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise all in impressive form. They have scored in their last 10 matches in all competitions, but failed to keep a clean sheet in the last five fixtures in this run.

Senegal Form

Senegal are one of Africa's biggest prospects at the World Cup and boast the quality for a deep run this year. They were also unbeaten in the qualifiers, claiming seven wins and three draws from 10 matches.

The Teranga Lions had mixed preparations for the tournament, claiming wins over Peru and Gambia before dropping off a little. Pape Thiaw's team suffered a 3-2 defeat to the USA and played out a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia in their final pre-tournament fixture.

With the likes of Sadio Mane, Iliman Ndiaye and Nicolas Jackson, Senegal also have quality going forward, scoring in nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions. However, they have failed to keep a clean sheet in two of the last three fixtures in this run.

France vs Senegal News & Predicted Line-ups

France (4-2-3-1): Mike Maignan; Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Theo Hernandez; Aurelien Tchouameni, Adrien Rabiot; Desire Doue, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele; Kylian Mbappe.

France have no injuries or suspensions heading into this clash and could stick with the team that beat Northern Ireland. Mbappe should lead the line, with support from Olise, who scored a hat-trick in that clash, while Upamecano and Saliba are set to continue in defence.

Senegal (4-2-3-1): Edouard Mendy; Krepin Diatta, Kalidou Koulibaly, Moussa Niakhate, Ismail Jakobs; Idrissa Gueye, Pape Gueye; Ismaila Sarr, Iliman Ndiaye, Sadio Mane; Cherif Ndiaye.

Senegal have a fully fit squad heading into their Group I opener. Mane and Ndiaye should continue in attack, having started against Saudi Arabia, while Koulibaly and Jakobs are set to earn a start after coming off the bench in that clash.

Verdict

France v Senegal

France’s attacking depth is well known, and they have the quality to get past any team in the tournament.

However, Senegal also have players that can capitalize on their high press, and given the former world champions’ vulnerability to fast breaks, the Teranga Lions can create a few chances of their own.

I expect both teams to score in this one.

Yes

Both Teams to Score

@2.14 - 2 Units

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