Senegal V Algeria
Thursday, 27 June 2019 – 18:00 Kick-Off
International: Africa Cup of Nations, Group C
Pick: Senegal to WIN – 11/10 Betfair
Recent Trends
- Senegal have won all of their last seven matches in all competitions, conceding only one goal.
- Algeria are currently enjoying a seven-game unbeaten run (W5 D2); four of those featured both teams scoring.
- The previous four meetings between the two nations has resulted in Algeria not losing a game (W3 D1), which does include a 2-2 draw in the group stage of the last AFCON.
Senegal Preview
The Lions of Teranga are among the favourites to go all the way in this competition and the manner of their victory in the opener fairly reflected that. A final score of 2-0 didn’t do their dominance justice against Tanzania, but goals from Keita Balde and Krepin Diatta sealed an important win that should have helped to banish any pre-tournament anxiety.
It genuinely was a stroll for Aliou Cisse’s players, who created more than enough chances to make it a more emphatic margin of victory. The opposition weren’t allowed a single shot on goal either, as Tanzania were restricted to only three attempts on goal by a defence that has been in imperious form.
As if the mood in camp wasn’t already high, the return of Sadio Mane from suspension is a huge positive ahead of what is their most difficult group encounter on paper. The Liverpool forward should be in a fantastic frame of mind after a memorable season that saw him set a new personal-best for goals in a single term (26 in 50 appearances) as well as pick up a Champions League winners medal.
Mane is also the Senegal captain and he will slot back into a side that has won its previous seven games, six without even conceding a goal. The one criticism is perhaps a lack of goals themselves – they haven’t scored more than two in any of their last six – but it is a very small gripe, especially when the defence is so good it doesn’t really matter so much.
Algeria Preview
Considered by many to be genuine dark horses to win the competition, Algeria kicked off their campaign with a routine 2-0 win against Kenya. A penalty from striker Baghdad Bounedjah and a deflected effort from star man Riyad Mahrez before half-time allowed The Fennecs to stroll through the remainder of the game without overexerting themselves.
Algeria bossed proceedings throughout versus Kenya, who failed to manage a single attempt on target. That was a rarity though, as the Algerians are not renowned for their strong defending: this was only the third occasion they had prevented a team from scoring in their last seven matches.
Fortunately, the attack is their main asset and is often what bails a leaky defence out of trouble. The Fennecs are currently enjoying a seven-game streak without losing (W5 D2) but four of those finished with both teams scoring, which only serves to highlight the importance of this attack firing in every game, let alone the more challenging ones, in order to have any chance of earning positive outcomes.
The danger man is undoubtedly Manchester City playmaker Riyad Mahrez, who now has three goals in his last four AFCON group fixtures. However, his supporting cast will be just as important in this incredibly difficult encounter. Galatasaray’s Sofiane Feghouli and FC Porto’s tricky winger Yacine Brahimi, in particular, will both need to raise their respective games if Algeria are to enjoy success here.
Betting Tip
Senegal to WIN – 11/10 Betfair
Betting Summary
There is enough attacking talent on show here to suggest this could be one of the more entertaining and exciting group games. Algeria’s propensity for free-flowing contests would add to that assertion, with three of their last five matches ending with both teams having scored.
Algeria are a danger going forward but their defence remains suspect. Particularly as they’re now facing a Senegal team with an attack as potent as their own, if not more so, but one that will be complemented by a more compact and reliable rearguard. There may not be too many other occasions in this tournament in which we can back Senegal at odds-against, so this definitely looks like an opportunity worth seizing.
