Belgium clash with Senegal in the World Cup Round of 32 in Seattle on Wednesday night. The African nation only just squeezed into the knockout rounds but they could still be a handful for the Belgians.
Belgium:
Group G proved to be competitive but Belgium eventually topped it with 1 and 2 draws. Egypt also finished on 5 points but took the runners spot on goal difference. Iran were third with 3 draws from their matches and were pretty unlucky to be eliminated whilst New Zealand finished bottom of the quartet with 1 point.
Belgium finally cut loose in their third group match, thrashing New Zealand 5-1 in Vancouver. Trossard scored in each half and further goals from Kevin de Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers gave Belgium the goal difference to leap into top position.
Earlier Belgium made hard work of their first two matches. A 0-0 draw with Iran in Los Angeles where they Nathan Ngoy red carded and a 1-1 draw with Egypt at this venue where they were behind after 20 minutes and needed a 66th minute own goal to square things up.
Senegal:
Of the eight best third place finisher qualification spots available for the Round of 32, seven went to wins who finished with 4 points and Senegal were the only nation to qualify with just 3 points. They were drawn alongside France and Norway and France topped the group with 9 points ahead of the Norwegians who finished with 6. Iraq failed to earn a point and were eliminated.
Senegal were under pressure after failing to pick up a point from their two opening matches but they hammered Iraq 5-0 in Toronto to squeeze into the knockout rounds. Habib Diarra opened the scoring on 4 minutes and shortly afterwards Iraq were reduced to 10 men. Second half goals from Ismaila Sarr and Iliman Ndiaye either side of a brace from substitute Pape Gueye took Senegal through.
Senegal conceded either side of half time in a 3-2 loss to Norway in New Jersey in their second outing with Ismaila Sarr scoring both of their goals.
Their opening match, also in New Jersey saw them go down 3-1 to France. France took the lead on 66 minutes and made it 2-0 on 82 minutes. Senegal’s goal came through Ibrahim Mbaye just into injury time but there still time for France to add a third.
The Betting (Regulation time unless stated otherwise)
Belgium are priced at around 12/10 to win the game with the draw available at 22/10 and Senegal can be backed at around 24/10
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 11/10 and its 9/10 for both teams to score
De Bruyne is 2.95/1 to score any time (90 mins) for Belgium and Sadio Mane is 31/10 to do likewise for Senegal.
It’s Durban July Week! 15% Bonus on all deposits up to R30,000, 28th June to 5th July
The Verdict:
I’m a fan of this Senegal side and I don’t think we have seen anything like the best of them yet. If they really put it together it will spell trouble for Belgium and I’m going to take my chances on Senegal to win the match but with Belgium contributing to the scoring.
Bets: Match result and both teams to score? Senegal to win and yes at 58/10 with Betway
Note, odds are subject to change