Senegal VS Colombia Match Prediction
2018-06-28
14:00:00
Senegal
VS
Colombia
Our Prediction Tip
Colombia will win this match.
2018-06-2814:00:00 Colombia will win this match.
Colombia and Senegal have met just once before - a 2-2 draw in Argentina in 2014. Colombia had led 2-0 at half-time thanks to goals from Teofilo Gutierrez and Carlos Bacca, but within five minutes of the restart Moussa Konate and Cheikh N’Doye had restored parity. Senegal finished the match with ten men after Ibrahima Seck was sent off, but Colombia could not take advantage.
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Colombia’s win against Poland was just their third in 11 matches in all competitions
Colombia have won both of their previous World Cup matches against African opponents
Senegal are unbeaten in group stage games at the World Cup - they now have two wins and three draws from their five games
Senegal have lost just one of their last 12 matches
Colombia returned to form in style - and in perfect time - when they put three past Poland in their second group game.
In truth, even with ten men they had showed flashes of their best form against Japan and they will be confident of getting the result they now need against Senegal to progress.
A draw will confirm Senegal’s second-round place, and would be enough for Colombia too if Japan lose, but with James Rodriguez back and Radamel Falcao getting his World Cup goal, the Colombians will hope for all three points.
They will certainly create chances and Senegal’s defence will be tested by Colombia’s flair players.
Senegal have proved time and again not to write them off - they have beaten Poland already, of course, though the Poles were well below par in that game.
They will know they missed an opportunity against Japan last time out - creating more chances and leading twice - and it will be interesting to see how they respond to that.
Anything less than a perfect performance may not be enough, against a Colombia side in a much better position - not just literally but in terms of their form and morale too - now than they were just a week ago.
Colombia are favourites to beat Senegal having got back to winning ways last time out. The best price is available from Betfair, 10Bet and Betway who have Colombia at 10/11 to win.
Colombia gave up few chances against Poland, meanwhile, and kept two consecutive clean sheets in their two matches prior to the World Cup. Senegal have the quality to break them down - not least through Sadio Mane - but Colombia can keep a clean sheet.
Betting against both teams to score will return 10/11 with Bet365, Ladbrokes, Betfair, Betway or 888sport. A Colombia win to nil is 2/1 with Bet365 and Ladbrokes, meanwhile.
Radamel Falcao broke his World Cup duck in the last game and is worth backing at 31/21 with 888sport to score at any time.
James Rodriguez got two assists but did not score, but the Brazil 2014 Golden Boot winner is 23/10 with Betfair and Paddy Power to get back among the goals at any time.
1) Both teams to score = “NO” at 10/11 with Bet365
2) Colombia to win at 10/11 with Betway
3) Radamel Falcao to score at any time at 31/21 with 888sports
Colombia were vastly improved at the back against Poland and took their chances at the other end, with James Rodriguez back to his best creatively and Radamel Falcao getting an emotional goal. It is risky writing Senegal off given their own form, but Colombia really should be winning.
Senegal opted to reinforce their midfield against Japan, and could do the same again this time, with Badou N'Diaye and Cheikh Kouyate fighting for a starting place. Mame Biram Diouf was the man to miss out up front, appearing only as a second-half substitute.
Sadio Mane (winger) - Scored his first World Cup goal to open the scoring against Japan
Mbaye Niang (striker) - Scored against Poland and bagged an assist against Japan up front
Kalidou Koulibaly (defender) - The big centre-back has a huge price tag on his head after attracting interest thanks to his performances for Napoli.
Japan 2-2 Senegal
Senegal twice led against Japan in their second group game, after Sadio Mane fired them into an early lead before Takashi Inui's equaliser. In the second-half, Senegal team - despite having less possession - had a lot more chances but failed to take their opportunities. Moussa Wague restored their lead on 71 minutes but seven minutes later Keisuke Honda equalised as both teams had to settle for a point.
Senegal have lost just one of their last 12 matches, but they have won just two of their last seven following the draw with Japan last time out. Draws with Uzbekistan, Bosnia and Luxembourg, followed by a defeat to Croatia, did not inspire confidence but they returned to winning ways thanks to an own goal and a Moussa Konate penalty in a 2-0 win against South Korea. Senegal then beat Poland 2-1 to kick off the World Cup in style before the 2-2 draw with Japan.
Abel Aguilar's injury could give Carlos Sanchez a reprieve and an immediate return to the starting line-up after he missed the last match through suspension. Sanchez, of course, was sent off after just three minutes of the first game against Japan. It is unlikely Colombia Football team will make any other changes after their comfortable win against Poland - James Rodriguez returned from injury for that game, while Yerry Mina started and scored at centre-back.
James Rodriguez (attacking midfielder) - 2014 Golden Boot winner assisted two of Colombia's three goals against Poland
Radamel Falcao (striker) - Grabbed his first World Cup goal - and 30th international goal - in the win against Poland
Juan Cuadrado (winger) - Scored Colombia's third against Poland, to prove a point after being replaced early against Japan.
Poland 0-3 Colombia
After losing their opening game, Colombia bounced back in style - though it took until the 40th minute for Yerry Mina to open the scoring against Poland. In the second-half, Radamel Falcao scored his first World Cup goal - four years after missing the last tournament through injury. Juan Cuadrado's late strike ensured Colombia bounced back in style - the boost to their goal difference could end up being key too.
Victory against Poland ended a run of three matches without a win. Since coming from 2-0 down to beat France 3-2 in March, Colombia had drawn 0-0 with both Australia and Egypt before their defeat, with ten men, against Japan in the opening group game. They bounced back in style, however, to keep their hopes of progressing alive.
At least one of Senegal and Colombia will qualify for the second round when they face each other in their final match in Group H. Senegal need a point, while Colombia probably need a win – though a draw will be good enough if Japan lose to Poland. Colombia bounced back from their opening defeat to Japan by beating Poland comfortably last time out, while Senegal were 1-0 and 2-1 up before settling for a point against Japan. Their final group stage match takes place in Samara’s Cosmos Arena. Kick off is 6pm local time on Thursday June 28.
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