Senegal get their AFCON 2012 campaign underway when they take on Zambia in Bata on Saturday. These teams are the favourites to qualify from Group A and Senegal are considered lively contenders to lift the trophy. Can the Lions of Teranga make a winning start here?

There are plenty of people looking forward to watching Senegal at these finals, not least because of their firepower with Moussa Sow, Papiss Demba Cissé and Demba Ba all in the squad. Bookmakers have priced Senegal up as third favourites to lift the trophy at around 8/1 making them the most likely alternatives to the powerhouses of Ghana and Ivory Coast. They coasted through qualifying, topping their group with 16 points from five wins and one draw with 16 goals scored and just two conceded. That saw Senegal push Cameroon out of the picture for these finals with Congo DR and Mauritius also eliminated. Three warm up matches have been played, a 4-1 win against Guinea and two 1-0 wins over Sudan and Kenya as coach Amara Traore fine tuned his preparations.

PSL fans will be familiar with a number of the Zambian squad, not least Orlando Pirates midfielder Isaac Chansa. The likes of Collins Mbesuma, Clifford Mulenga, Joseph Musonda and goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene are also included and whilst they do not have the star names of their opponents here, they could prove more than useful. The return of Herve Renard as coach is another plus, it was Renard who took Zambia to the quarter finals in AFCON 2010 in Angola. Renard's predecessor, Dario Bonetti had steered Chipolopolo to the finals topping their qualifying group ahead of Libya with four wins, one draw and one defeat. It wasn't the strongest looking group from which to emerge but based on their performance in Angola two years ago, we can expect a spirited effort from a hard working side who it would be dangerous to underestimate. Zambia played out a 1-1 draw with a second string Bafana side in a recent warm up game.

The Betting, Match Result

Senegal 6/10 BetXchange, World Sports Betting, Sportingbet

Draw 26/10 Hollywood, Ladbrokes

Zambia 48/10 Hollywood

Selected Others

Under 2.5 goals 6/10 World Sports Betting

Over 2.5 goals 27/20 BetXchange

Both teams to score (yes) 1.25/1 Hollywood

Note, odds are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change. Not all bookmakers had priced up at the time of writing and many more markets are available. Watch out for the option to bet “in play” where available

Analysis

If we go back to to Angola 2010, Zambia's group games were amongst the best in the tournament in terms of entertainment with a total of ten goals scored in three matches and both sides finding the net. Admittedly, their quarter final exit came via a penalty shoot out (which they lost to Nigeria) after the game ended without a goal but they could once again be worth keeping an eye on. With the talent available in attack you have to fancy Senegal to find the net and I'll take a chance we will Zambia on the score sheet as well.

Bet: Both teams to score (yes) 1.25/1 Hollywood

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