Senegal
vs.
Columbia
By: Jason Green
Time: 3:00 PM
Match Odds: Columbia -120 / Senegal +350 / Draw +260
Over/Under: 2.5 goals
Both of these teams are in Group H, which has been pretty confusing. With a win both Senegal and Columbia will make the knockout phase and Senegal will advance with just a draw. Japan also is tied atop the group with Senegal and they face Poland in their last match. There are many scenarios, but the basic one is this match is a big one for botch squad.
These teams have only ever met one time and that was a in a friendly match back in 2014.
Senegal played to a 2-2 draw with Japan in their last match where they held a 2-1 lead, but allowed a goal late in the match. They lost the time of possession battle in that match and that may be the case in this match as well, which is why Columbia are the betting favorites.
Liverpool’s Sadio Mane leads the Senegal attack and he scored in the draw facing Japan. The midfield has to feed their guys up front and also look to the counter since the Columbians are more in need of a win with three points in group play and they may push the attack more.
While Senegal did give up two goals they did not give up many shots on target. Of they can do that in this match they may be in a good shape, but their defense has not looked great overall. They will have to use their speed to frustrate the Columbians and also on the counter-attack, which will be key for them in this match.
After a disappointing 2-1 loss to Japan in their World Cup opener Columbia rebounded, big time, in their last match beating Poland 3-0. Radamel Falcao scored in the match and with he and James Rodriguez up front Senegal’s defense has their work cut out for them. Columbia played great in the midfield and kept a clean sheet and if they repeat that performance facing Senegal in the group stage finale they should win.
Davinson Sanchez leads the Columbian defense and after a shaky Game on the pitch in the loss to Japan he played well in the win over Poland. They have to thwart the counter and break through a Senegal defense that may play back on the pitch more in this match.
19-year old Moussa Wague scored in the draw with Japan and the attacking back has a ton of promise, but he also made key mistakes in the draw.
Last Three Matches
Senegal
6/11/2018 Senegal 2 South Korea 0 (Friendly)
6/19/18 Poland 1 Senegal 2 (World Cup)
6/24/18 Japan 2 Senegal 2 (World Cup)
Columbia
6/1/18 Egypt 0 Columbia 0 (Friendly)
6/19/18 Columbia 1 vs. Japan 2 (World Cup)
6/24/18 Poland 3 Columbia 0 (World Cup)
Prediction: Columbia will come out firing in this match and that is not good for Senegal having to face Falcao and Rodriguez. The Senegal defense will play well, but they will not keep a clean sheet while they will be shut out on the other side of the. Columbia will win this match 1-0.