Verdict: Over 2,5 goals – yes
Best Odds: 17/10
Bookmaker: 888sport
Group H is definitively one of the tighest zones in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, as Poland, Senegal, Japan and Colombia will battle for two spots in the upcoming Round of 16. And the European and African sides will debut this Tuesday, in a huge game that could start to show their path towards the knockout stages. The game will be at Spartak Stadium in Moscow, and kick-off is scheduled at 17:00 (BST).
Poland
Poland were one of the most surprising teams during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in Europe, as they topped Group E ahead of Denmark, Montenegro and Romania. Bayern Munich star striker Robert Lewandowski undoubtedly played a huge role on the team’s qualification round, as he was the world’s top scorer during the Qualifiers with 16 goals. But now Poland need to back up those performances – and the fact they were a seeded team thanks to their Top 10 place in the FIFA World Rankings – with a strong showing on Russian soil. Obviously Lewandowski will be the team’s main star, but the whole side need to step up their game. Based on the strength of their Group, Poland have a golden chance to emulate what the team did during the 1970s when they reached the semifinals. And winning against Senegal would certainly be a step in the right direction.
Team News
The polish side will have a huge absence in this game, as Monaco defender Kamil Glik has been dealing with an injury. The star centre-back would need a miracle to participate in this game.
The rest of the side is fully fit and available, though. As a result, Poland will feature his Best XI – Glik aside – in this one.
Senegal
On the other hand, Senegal were one of the best teams in the African World Cup Qualifiers, and they finished undefeated in the third stage when they topped Group D ahead of Burkina Faso, Cape Verde and South Africa with 14 points in six matches (W4, D2). And while the expectations are quite high – the team reached the quarterfinals in their lone World Cup appearance back in 2002 – there is no doubt that Senegal have a lot of talent to, at least, fight for a spot in the Round of 16. Obviously Sadio Mane is the team’s biggest star, but the African side has several other interesting names such as Keita Balde and M’Baye Niang to keep opposing defences honest. Defence might be a concern – especially after the injury of Saliou Ciss – but the talent is there. It remains to be seen if they can put it all together when it matters the most.
Team News
As mentioned above, The Lions of Teranga will have an absence on defence with the loss of Ciss. Adama Mbengue will take his place on the side to replace him.
There are no injury concerns heading into the team’s debut, though.
Key Factors to Consider
- Poland scored two or more goals in nine of their ten qualifying matches. In fact, seven of those games ended with both teams scoring (BTTS).
- The European side has also been a reliable scoring force. Nine of their last 12 matches have finished with more than 2.5 goals as a whole.
- However, we have not seen that scoring power in the World Cup of late. Poland have failed to score in six of their last eight World Cup matches.
- Senegal, on the other hand, have looked solid defensively with three clean sheets in their past four games.
- Scoring has not been very kind to them, though. They have scored more than once just once in their last five matches, and two of those games ended scoreless.
- This will be the first meeting between both sides.
Conclusion
This should be a very open game. Both teams have a lot of talent on the attacking end, and both feature absences on defence as well.
As a result, expect this contest to be quite attacking. And we could definitively see over 2.5 goals scored.
Verdict: Over 2,5 goals – yes
Best Odds: 17/10
Bookmaker: 888sport
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