Belgium
Belgium arrive in the knockout rounds as group winners with five points, six goals scored, and two conceded, though their path through the group stage was far from convincing and will have offered encouragement to Senegal’s camp.
Garcia’s side were held to a 1-1 draw against Egypt in their opening fixture before being pegged to a goalless outing against Iran – results that raised serious questions about their tournament credentials.
A commanding 5-0 dismantling of New Zealand in the final group game provided some much-needed relief and momentum they seek to carry into the knockout stage.
Injuries & Team News
Rudi Garcia has said that Jeremy Doku and Romelu Lukaku wouldn’t be available for the full game against New Zealand but he started the former and again brought the latter off the bench, and he again made an impact as he scored their fourth.
Nathan Ngoy has returned from suspension and is expected to come back into the eleven, with fellow defender Zeno Debast, of Sporting CP, remaining a doubt due to a leg injury.
Form
| Last Match | Last 6 Matches |
|---|---|
| 5-0 New Zealand |
D W W D D W
|
Predicted Line-Up
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1):
Courtois; Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper; Tielemans, Vanaken; Trossard, De Bruyne, Doku; Lukaku
Senegal
Senegal’s group stage, meanwhile, was uneven but ultimately productive – back-to-back defeats to France and Norway left Pape Thiaw’s side needing a result in their final fixture.
They delivered emphatically – a 5-0 victory over Iraq not only secured their progression but made history as the first time an African nation had scored five goals in a single World Cup match.
The Lions of Teranga advance as one of the best third-placed sides and will be driven by the desire to match and then surpass their best-ever World Cup finish, the quarter-final appearance achieved at the 2002 tournament in South Korea and Japan, a stage they failed to reach in 2022 after a round-of-16 defeat to England.
Injuries & Team News
Senegal have made a big call at the back with captain Kalidou Koulibaly dropped against Iraq, while another key member of their experienced spine, Edouard Mendy, having been ruled out due to injury.
Pape Thiaw also made the decision that Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr, off the back of an excellent scoring season at Selhurst Park, should be deployed up front with Nicolas Jackson dropping out in order to accommodate Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye. Pape Gueye is also pushing for a start.
Form
| Last Match | Last 6 Matches |
|---|---|
| 5-0 vs Iraq | W L D L L W |
Predicted Line-Up
Predicted XI (4-3-3):
Diaw; Diatta, Seck, Niakhate, Jakobs; P. Gueye, Camara, I. Gueye; Mbaye, I. Sarr, Mane
Betting Odds
| Team | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium Win | 6/5 – (2.10) | Grand Ivy |
| Draw | 12/5 – (3.30) | Dream Vegas |
| Seengal Win | 4/1 – (5.00) | 247Bet |
Prediction
Belgium 1-1 Senegal
Belgium thrashed New Zealand 5-0 last time out but im not ready to hand them my confidence just yet, they have failed to deliver so often. Senegal are no puchovers and beat Iraq when the pressure was on. I think this could go the distance.