The second match of the day in the World Cup on Tuesday sees the final two sides in the tournament getting their campaigns underway when Poland take on Senegal in Group G in the capital Moscow.
Poland begin the groups as the highest seeds but they will be fully aware having seen the surprises thus far that seeding counts for nothing now. Senegal disappointed in the African Nations Cup last year and will be out to show their worth here.
Poland
The Euro2016 quarter finalists look to have progressed nicely since that tournament with a number of their better players plying their trade at decent clubs, so the Poles should be heading into the competition with their hopes high. They need that real standout performance in a major tournament though as even with their final outcome in France you got the feeling they played within themselves.
One thing you need at international level is a top drawer striker. Chances are few and far between at this level and in Robert Lewandowski, Poland certainly have that. He might well be using this tournament as a shop window too which will definitely do the Poles no harm. Poland are solid in all areas rather than standing out in one.
Senegal
The African side bring one of the most talented squads we have seen from that continent at a World Cup but talent on paper always needs to be transferred to the hard work on grass. The spine of the Senegalese side is incredibly strong and they look to be the pick of the African teams. They will hope that is the case having seen the other four African outfits play and lose already.
Much like the Poles, Senegal have a top level player in attacking areas in Sadio Mane but they have a number of options to play around him, which perhaps Poland don’t quite have. I would imagine the final outcome for Senegal in this tournament will be determined by how well they defend so this will be a good test for them.
Team News
Poland have had a couple of freaky injuries in the lead up to this match. Kamil Glik put his shoulder out attempting and overhead kick in training and misses out. Jan Bednarek will replace him. Arkadiusz Milik hurt his hand slipping in a puddle but he should be fine.
Senegal appear to be at full strength heading into their opening match which will leave the decision to be who plays up top alongside Sadio Mane. Stoke’s Mama Biram Diouf and former West Ham man Diafra Sakho are options.
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Betting
This isn’t a particularly easy match to gauge because Poland are going to need to change formation so late on, so much of what we have seen from them previously could be blown out of the window. That might lead to a more attacking approach, something Senegal usually have in their matches. I think with the nature of this group being an open one we will see teams having a go in it so there could be an end to end element to this match. With that in mind the strong odds against on both teams to score looks good.
Another bet that I like in this one is for Senegal to pick up more than 1.5 cards. I recently watched a friendly between them and Croatia where the Africans picked up five yellow cards and as this game gets stretched I can see them picking up a couple of cautions here. There are some powerful players in this Senegal side but their tackling can leave a little to be desired. They picked up a brace of bookings in three of their four matches in the African Nations last year and the one they didn’t receive two was a dead rubber for them as they had already qualified. I’ll take over 1.5 cards.
Tips
WON – Back Both teams to score for a 4/10 stake at 2.20 with William Hill
Back it here:
WON – Back Senegal – Over 1.5 cards for a 4/10 stake at 1.73 with Bet365
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