The clash between Senegal and Colombia will be played at the Cosmos Arena in Samara on June 28th. Senegal could end at the top of the group with three points, but they will be also satisfied with a point, while Colombia doesn’t have that luxury to go for a draw on this one as they must win or will start packing their bags home.
Senegal vs. Colombia
Three-Way: 1: Senegal +359; X: +270 Draw; 2: Colombia -118 (Odds provided by Delaware Park Sportsbook)
Spread +0.5: Senegal +106; Colombia -116
Total 2.5 goals: Over +100; Under -125
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The Samurai Blue came from behind on two occasions to snatch a 2-2 draw with Senegal, despite the Lions of Teranga being a better team in the clash, so Japan was more than happy to take a point and stay alive in the race for the Round of 16. Sadio Mane opened the scoring in the 11th minute following a bad punch from Eiji Kawashima who gifted the forward a ball to his foot, but the Japanese equalized in the 34th minute thanks to Takashi Inui, which was a great moment for those who backed BTTS at +110.
Moussa Wague gave Senegal another lead in the 71st minute, helping the punters who bet on over 2.5 goals at +170 to make the profit, but that score was quickly changed as the substitute Keisuke Honda tied it only six minutes after his introduction to set the final result, 2-2, exactly the punters who backed a draw at +190 needed.
On the other hand, Poland disappointed once again following a port performance against Senegal in the first round and lost 3-0 to Colombia. Poland didn’t even attempt a shot on target in the first half, while Yerry Mina’ header opened the scoring in the 40th minute to pile more misery on the Eagles, and they couldn’t deal with the pressure.
They tried to get an equalizer in the final half an hour, which gave an opportunity to the Coffe Growers to finish them off on the counters and Colombia doubled the lead through Radamel Falcao in the 70th minute, making it clear that they will get a victory at +114. Juan Cuadrado put the final nail in Poland’s coffin in the 75th minute and helped everyone who backed over 2.5 goals at +125.
Players to watch
Sadio Mane captained his side in the last match and he recorded his first goal at the World Cup, so he can find himself in the scoresheet yet again here. The Colombians will leave plenty of open space for Mane to hit them on the break, and we all know how quick and technically gifted he is.
James Rodriguez ran the midfield against Poland and added a pair of assists to his name, but he is still looking for the first goal at the World Cup after finishing at the top of the goalscoring list in the previous tournament in Brazil.
Probable Lineups:
Senegal: N’Diaye; Sabaly, Koulibaly, Sane, Wague; Ndiaye, Kouyate, Gueye; Sarr, Mane, Niang.
Colombia: Ospina; Arias, Mina, Sanchez, Mojica; Uribe, Barrios; Cuadrado, Quintero, Rodriguez; Falcao.
Betting Prediction
Senegal’s chances to win the World Cup are now +15000, while the Lions of Teranga are +500 to reach the quarter-finals. Colombia’s chances to win the World Cup are +4000, while the Coffee Growers are +300 to make it to the quarter-finals.
Colombia is a favorite on this one but they will need to score an early goal and control the tilt, and I am not sure Senegal will allow that. The Lions of Teranga can hurt any rival on the fast breaks, and if Colombia goes all in to score, Senegal can put this game to bed, so I am going with goals on both sides rather than playing three-way.
The Pick: Both teams to score YES (-111)