Senegal v Tunisia
Sunday 14th July 1700hrs
Football – International– African Cup of Nations
Pick Senegal
Bookmaker Coral
Odds: 23/20 (odds taken 12.00 GMT, Saturday 13th July)
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23/20 | 2/1 | 31/10 |
* (Betting Odds were taken from 22Bet on July 13th, 2019 at 12.00)
The first of the semi-finals in this year’s African Cup of Nations sees Senegal against Tunisia. The Senegalese have only made the final once whilst their opponents have won the competition once, back in 2004.
African Cup of Nations Betting at Coral
Senegal Preview – Can this Senegalese team emulate famous 2002 group and reach an AFCON final ?
Despite some of the great players and teams Senegal have had in the past, their record in the AFCON has not been great. That famous 2002 team was perhaps their best collection of players and it resulted in them being finalists in this competition and reaching the quarter finals of the World Cup in the same year. This group of players are the best since and they are looking to have a similar impact. Having led Senegal to their first World Cup in 16 years, they are now on the brink of reaching their first AFCON final since that penalties defeat to Cameroon 17 years ago. Aliou Cisse – who was captain of that 2002 team – is the man who has overseen this recent revival. It’s been an impressive path to the semi-final stage in this tournament so far.
Their only loss came to Algeria in the group stage in a narrow 1-0 defeat. In some ways it was a good thing as it meant a kinder knockout phase. Two 1-0 victories against Uganda and Benin have led them to the last four.
The undoubted start of this team is Liverpool’s Saido Mane. Although he’s just enjoyed his best individual and club season, Mane has stated that the ultimate aim is to lead his nation to glory this summer. His three goals in the tournament so far have him the joint-top scorer and he will be keen for more.
Tunisia Preview – Will Tunisia continue excellent form from the quarter-final and defeat Senegal?
When Tunisia were crowned African champions back in 2004 at their own tournament, they would have been hoping it wouldn’t be 15 years before they got to within a game of their next final. That’s been the case, though, and like their opponents on Sunday it looks like being another one of their golden periods. Before participating in last year’s World Cup it had been 12 years since Tunisia had made it to those finals. They were well beaten by England and Belgium in their group before salvaging some respect against Panama. Despite a change in manager the Tunisians have been able to continue that success by getting to the latter stages of this competition.
With the competition in North Africa it was always likely to suit this team. They come into the Sunday’s semi-final still unbeaten but they drew all three of their group games. It was another closely fought affair against a dangerous Ghana team in the last-16 whom they overcame on penalties. It wasn’t until the last round where we witnessed how good this Tunisia team can be. A 3-0 win over the surprise package of the tournament, Madagascar, served noticed that they cannot be written off. The big challenge is being able to turn in a similar performance against one of the elite African teams.
Key-Facts – Senegal v Tunisia
- This is the further Senegal have made it in this competition since 2006 – the last time it was held in Egypt
- Tunisia’s crowning moment came in 2004 in their own tournament, beating rivals Morocco in the final
- The two nations last met at AFCON in 2017 when Senegal proved to be too strong, winning 2-0
Senegal v Tunisia Betting Advice
It’s a heavyweight last four in this year’s AFCON and both semi-finals are very appealing on paper. In terms of this game it’s been Senegal who have been more consistently impressive in the tournament so far. They possess the better quality of player as well and have that one superstar in Mane who can change games in an instant. Tunisia will not be overly concerned by that and have shown they have an ability to stay in games. They’re also likely to have the advantage in terms of support, however small an advantage that is likely to be.
This competition is never one for a lot of goals and with so much pressure on these games it’s likely to be another low-scoring affair. It may not be pretty and it is likely to be by the odd goal, but Senegal have that ability to win these games and can do so in 90 minutes.
