Senegal VS Algeria Match Prediction

  • Logo2019-07-19
  • Logo19:00:00
Senegal
VS
Algeria

Our Prediction Tip

Algeria will win this match.

Senegal have failed to beat Algeria in any of their last five matches – a run stretching back to 2008. Algeria’s 1-0 win in the group stage, courtesy of Youcef Belaili’s strike, was their fourth in their last five games against Senegal. Prior to this year, they last met in the 2017 competition when they shared a 2-2 draw – Islam Slimani twice giving Algeria the lead, only for Papakouli Diop and Moussa Sow to both equalise.

SEN vs ALG Betting Tips

Senegal are bidding for their first ever Africa Cup of Nations triumph, in just their second final, while Algeria have not got this far since winning in 1990.

Either way, whoever lifts the trophy in Cairo will be creating a new era of national heroes – so who has the players to stand up to the pressure?

Both sides’ match winners are obvious – Sadio Mane has scored three times for Senegal and comes into the tournament boasting a Champions League winners medal.

Riyad Mahrez, on the other hand, helped Manchester City to a domestic treble last season and now has two Premier League winner’s medals to his name – Mane, and Liverpool, have none.

Mahrez has also scored three times in this competition, while it was Youcef Belaili on the opposite flank who netted in the group-stage win against Senegal when these teams last met.

In fact, Algeria have won four of their last five games against Senegal including that group-stage meeting and are the only team to score past them in this competition so far.

Senegal’s impressive defence owes a lot to Kalidou Koulibaly, however, and the towering centre-back will be suspended for the final after his two yellow cards in three knock-out matches.

The last one did not prove costly on the night – the penalty he conceded was saved – but Senegal will miss his influence in defence.

In a game of fine margins, that could be the difference as Senegal look to keep out a team who have already breached their defence once in this tournament.

Senegal have never won this competition, but if Riyad Mahrez and co come to the fore the wait will go on.

Algeria vs Senegal Recommended bets with odds

The bookmakers have both teams priced very similarly for this final, with Senegal available to back at 9/5 with Betway and Algeria at a best price of 15/8, also with Betway.

Only Algeria have scored against Senegal in this tournament, and you can bet against both teams to score in the final at a best price of 4/6 with Ladbrokes.

Algeria to win to nil, as they did in the group stage, will return 16/5 with Ladbrokes.

Under 1.5 goals is priced at 27/20 with Ladbrokes, and a one-goal winning margin (for either team) is 5/4 with Betway.

Riyad Mahrez has scored three times for Algeria in this tournament, including the last-minute semi-final winner, is a best price of 57/17 with 10Bet.

Senegal vs Algeria Prediction

Algeria are the only team to find a way to score against (and beat) Senegal in this tournament and with Kalidou Koulibaly missing they could do so again in the final.

Correct Score Prediction: Senegal 0-1 Algeria

Senegal Team News

Kalidou Koulibaly will miss the final after picking up two yellow cards during the knock-out stages. Salif Sane could be the man to replace him and partner Cheikh Kouyate at the back. Ismaila Sarr was only a substitute for the semi-final, but he could come into the starting line-up after replacing Krepin Diatta in the second-half.

Senegal Key Players

Sadio Mane – The Liverpool winger, who was joint-Premier League golden boot winner – has scored three goals in the tournament so far.
Alfred Gomis – Kept Senegal in the tournament with his penalty save in the semi-final, which also maintained their excellent defensive record.
Idrissa Gana Gueye – Match-winner in the quarter-final and an important presence in the midfield battle for both club and country.

Senegal Team Form

Senegal’s only defeat since the 2018 World Cup came in the group stages of this tournament, when they last met Algeria. Since then, Sadio Mane scored twice in a 3-0 win against Kenya and then netted the only goal of their las-16 triumph against Uganda. Idrissa Gueye scored the only goal against Benin in the quarter-final, while an extra-time own goal ensured Senegal beat Tunisia 1-0 in the semi-final to book this place in the final.

Senegal Predicted Starting Line up

Expected Line up: 4-2-3-1

Algeria Team News

Algeria could be unchanged from their dramatic semi-final win against Nigeria, having not even made any substitutions during that game. That would mean match-winner Riyad Mahrez continuing on the right wing. If they are unchanged, joint-top scorer Adam Ounas would have to settle for a place on the bench.

Algeria Key Players

Riyad Mahrez – After his domestic treble with Manchester City, the Algerian winger has scored three goals in this tournament – including the last-minute winner in the semi-final.
Youcef Belaili – Scored two goals from the opposite wing, including the winner when these teams last met.
Adam Ounas – Algeria’s not-so-secret weapon on the bench, the Napoli playmaker has scored three goals in this tournament and is an excellent ‘Plan B’ option.

Algeria Team Form

Algeria are unbeaten in their last 12 matches in all competitions, including their run to the final in this competition. They won all three group games without conceding a goal, to see off Kenya, Senegal and Tanzania. In the knock-outs, they beat Guinea 3-0 – Youcef Belaili, Riyad Mahrez and Adam Ounas all scoring, before needing penalties to see off Ivory Coast after a 1-1 draw. In the semi-final, an own goal was cancelled out by a Nigeria penalty, but Riyad Mahrez curled in a free-kick with virtually the last kick of the game as Algeria won 2-1.

Algeria Predicted Starting Line up

Expected Line up: 4-5-1

Senegal have conceded just one goal in this tournament so far, but that was enough for Algeria to beat them in the group stage. Algeria have scored more goals so far and, if they can break down the Senegalese defence once more, they can secure their second AFCON title.
Algeria are not only the only team to beat Senegal so far in this year's tournament, they are the only team to score against them too.