Qatar looked out of their depth in their World Cup opener against Ecuador and things certainly won’t get any easier for the hosts when they face Senegal on Friday.
Senegal will be disappointed they could not hold out against the Netherlands last time out but they should pick up their first win of the tournament against a Qatar side heading for an expected early exit.
Qatar vs Senegal Betting Tips
- Senegal to win to nil @ 7/5
- #PickYourPunt – Ismailia Sarr to score anytime and Karim Boudiaf carded @ 15/2
Team news
Qatar manager Felix Sanchez will have a decision to make on goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb after his erratic display against Ecuador last time out.
Al Sheeb looked nervous on the big occasion and his performance won’t have helped settle a backline that struggled to cope with the Ecuadorian attack.
Meshaal Barsham could be handed an opportunity to impress between the sticks, if Sanchez does decide to make a change at goalkeeper.
As for Senegal, head coach Aliou Cisse has been boosted by the news Abdou Diallo did not suffer a significant injury against the Dutch and is back in training.
Unfortunately for the Lions of Teranga they will have to do without Cheikou Kouyate after the Nottingham Forest midfielder was stretchered off last time out.
Meanwhile, Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy’s place between the sticks has been called into question and there are some suggestions QPR’s Seny Dieng could replace him.
Senegal to win to nil @ 7/5
Without a single shot on target in their opening game, Qatar were worryingly toothless in attack against Ecuador.
It’s hard to see where the goals are going to come from for the hosts at Al Thumama Stadium, as Qatar will find it tough against a Senegal side that held out tournament dark horses the Netherlands for 83 minutes.
Senegal will be ruing the opportunities they missed against the Dutch and will be determined to respond against Qatar.
This looks set to be a comfortable win for Senegal, who should be able to keep Qatar waiting for their first World Cup goal.
#PickYourPunt – Ismailia Sarr to score anytime and Karim Boudiaf carded @ 15/2
With 10 goals in 47 appearances for his country, winger Ismalia Sarr has shown he can be a scoring threat for the Lions of Tenanga.
The Watford star was a standout performer for Senegal in their opening game and had three shots during the clash with the Dutch.
Sarr might well be able to bag his first goal of the World Cup against the hosts, while it’s worth keeping an eye out for Karim Boudiaf in the bookings market.
The 32-year-old has the unenviable task of trying to break up Senegal’s play in the middle of the park and he’s already been in hot water with the referee after a yellow card against Ecuador.
It would be no surprise to see the Al-Duhail midfielder booked again on Friday which, combined with a Sarr goal with #PickYourPunt, comes to a 15/2 chance.
