The following is a match centre with betting tips for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Group H fixture between Senegal and Colombia. The game kicks off on the 29th of June at 12:00 AM AEST. It will be broadcast live on SBS.
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Senegal
- FIFA World Rank: 27
- Elo Rating: 35
- Qualifying: Won Group D with a 4-2-0 record in the CAF Third Round.
Squad:
- Coach: Aliou Cissé
- Goalkeepers: Khadim Ndiaye (Horoya AC), Abdoulaye Diallo (Rennes), Alfred Gomis (Torino)
- Defenders: Kara Mbodji (Anderlecht), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Moussa Wague (Eupen), Saliou Ciss (Angers), Youssouf Sabaly (Bordeaux), Lamine Gassama (Alanyaspor), Armand Traore (Nottingham Forest), Salif Sane (Hannover 96)
- Midfielders: Pape Alioune Ndiaye (Stoke), Idrissa Gueye (Everton), Cheikhou Kouyate (West Ham), Cheikh N'Doye (Birmingham)
- Forwards: Sadio Mane (Liverpool), Diao Balde Keita (Monaco), Ismaila Sarr (Rennes), Diafra Sakho (Rennes), Moussa Konate (Amiens), Mame Biram Diouf (Stoke), Mbaye Niang (AC Milan)
Recent results:
- Japan 2 – 2 Senegal
24/06/2018
FIFA World Cup, played in Russia - Poland 1 – 2 Senegal
19/06/2018
FIFA World Cup, played in Russia - South Korea 0 – 2 Senegal
11/06/2018
Friendly, played in Austria - Croatia 2 – 1 Senegal
08/06/2018
Friendly, played in Croatia - Luxembourg 0 – 0 Senegal
31/05/2018
Friendly, played in Luxembourg - Bosnia-Herzegovina 0 – 0 Senegal
27/03/2018
Friendly, played in France - Senegal 1 – 1 Uzbekistan
23/03/2018
Friendly, played in Morocco - Senegal 2 – 1 South Africa
14/11/2017
WC qualifiers, played in Senegal - South Africa 0 – 2 Senegal
10/11/2017
WC qualifiers, played in South Africa - Cape Verde 0 – 2 Senegal
07/10/2017
WC qualifiers, played in Cape Verde - Burkina Faso 2 – 2 Senegal
05/09/2017
WC qualifiers, played in Burkina Faso - Senegal 0 – 0 Burkina Faso
02/09/2017
WC qualifiers, played in Senegal
Statistics: (last four years):
- H2H Record: 29-14-5
- O/U record
- O/U 0.5 record: 42-6
- O/U 1.5 record: 37-11
- O/U 2.5 record: 18-30
- O/U 3.5 record: 8-40
- O/U 4.5 record: 1-47
- O/U 5.5 record: 1-47
- Wins
- Total wins: 29
- Won by 1 goal: 8
- Won by 2 goals: 17
- Won by 3 goals: 4
- Won by 4 goals: 0
- Won by 5 goals: 0
- Won by 5+ goals: 0
- Won to nil 19
- Losses
- Total losses: 5
- Lost by 1 goal: 4
- Lost by 2 goals: 1
- Lost by 3 goals: 0
- Lost by 4 goals: 0
- Lost by 5 goals: 0
- Lost by 5+ goals: 0
- Lost to nil 4
- Clean Sheets and BTTS
- Total Games: 48
- Clean Sheets: 25
- Held Scoreless: 10
- Both Teams Scored: 19
Colombia
- FIFA World Rank: 16
- Elo Rating: 9
- Qualifying: Fourth place in the CONMEBOL qualifiers with a 7-6-5 record.
Squad:
- Coach: José Pékerman (Argentina)
- Goalkeepers: David Ospina (Arsenal), Camilo Vargas (Deportivo Cali), Jose Fernando Cuadrado (Once Caldas)
- Defenders: Cristian Zapata (Milan), Davinson Sanchez (Tottenham), Santiago Arias (PSV), Oscar Murillo (Pachuca), Frank Fabra (Boca Juniors), Johan Mojica (Girona), Yerry Mina (Barcelona)
- Midfielders: Wilmar Barrios (Boca Juniors), Carlos Sanchez (Espanyol), Jefferson Lerma (Levante), Jose Izquierdo (Brighton), James Rodriguez (Bayern Munich), Abel Aguilar (Deportivo Cali), Mateus Uribe (America), Juan Fernando Quintero (River Plate), Juan Guillermo Cu
- Forwards: Radamel Falcao (Monaco), Miguel Borja (Palmeiras), Carlos Bacca (Villarreal), Luis Muriel (Sevilla)
Recent results:
- Poland 0 – 3 Colombia
24/06/2018
FIFA World Cup, played in Russia - Colombia 1 – 2 Japan
19/06/2018
FIFA World Cup, played in Russia - Colombia 0 – 0 Egypt
01/06/2018
Friendly, played in Italy - Australia 0 – 0 Colombia
27/03/2018
Friendly, played in England - France 2 – 3 Colombia
23/03/2018
Friendly, played in France - China 0 – 4 Colombia
14/11/2017
Friendly, played in China - South Korea 2 – 1 Colombia
10/11/2017
Friendly, played in Korea Republic - Peru 1 – 1 Colombia
10/10/2017
WC qualifiers, played in Peru - Colombia 1 – 2 Paraguay
05/10/2017
WC qualifiers, played in Colombia - Colombia 1 – 1 Brazil
05/09/2017
WC qualifiers, played in Colombia - Venezuela 0 – 0 Colombia
31/08/2017
WC qualifiers, played in Venezuela - Cameroon 0 – 4 Colombia
13/06/2017
Friendly, played in Spain
Statistics: (last four years):
- H2H Record: 21-12-12
- O/U record
- O/U 0.5 record: 38-7
- O/U 1.5 record: 29-16
- O/U 2.5 record: 20-25
- O/U 3.5 record: 9-36
- O/U 4.5 record: 4-41
- O/U 5.5 record: 1-44
- Wins
- Total wins: 21
- Won by 1 goal: 10
- Won by 2 goals: 6
- Won by 3 goals: 2
- Won by 4 goals: 2
- Won by 5 goals: 0
- Won by 5+ goals: 1
- Won to nil 16
- Losses
- Total losses: 12
- Lost by 1 goal: 9
- Lost by 2 goals: 1
- Lost by 3 goals: 2
- Lost by 4 goals: 0
- Lost by 5 goals: 0
- Lost by 5+ goals: 0
- Lost to nil 6
- Clean Sheets and BTTS
- Total Games: 45
- Clean Sheets: 23
- Held Scoreless: 13
- Both Teams Scored: 16
Group H Table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Japan | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 4 |
| 2 |  |
Senegal | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 4 |
| 3 |  |
Colombia | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 3 |
| 4 |  |
Poland (E) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | −4 | 0 |
(E) Eliminated
Japan sit above Senegal due to their superior fair play score: Japan -3, Senegal -5.
Commentary
Senegal opened their campaign with a surprise 2-1 win over Poland. There was an element of good fortune in their two goals, but to their credit Senegal took advantage of Poland’s mistakes.
Senegal then drew Japan 2-2. They continued to take their opportunities well, with Senegal’s first goal coming from an awful Japanese mistake. The result was a decent outcome, but Senegal will feel they have let a win slip away after they twice allowed Japan come from behind. Senegal’s mistakes and inability to finish Japan off may come back to haunt them. They require just a point from this clash to reach the Round of 16, but will be up against it when they take on a Colombian side that looks full of confidence. One concern for Senegal is discipline. Five players have picked up yellow cards this tournament so are one booking away from a ban.
After a disappointing first up defeat, Colombia’s destiny is now back in their own hands. Colombia’s campaign began with a disastrous 2-1 defeat to Japan. Carlos Sanchez was red carded and conceded a penalty in the 3rd minute, which put Colombia on the back foot from then on. They showed plenty of character to get back into the game with a late first half goal, but the numerical disadvantage took its toll as Colombia tired. Colombia then defeated Poland 3-0 with a much improved performance. Star players James Rodriguez and Radamel Falcao both impressed as Colombia looked lethal in attack. They will be pleased to have kept a clean sheet as well. After a muted pre-tournament and disappointing opening fixture, Colombia look to have the spring back in their step and will back themselves to defeat Senegal and progress. In team news, Carlos Sanchez is available for selection after serving a one-game suspension.
Betting
bet365 odds (subject to change):
Compare the latest bookmaker odds for Senegal vs. Colombia
Colombia have looked the more convincing of the two sides. Two of Senegal’s four goals came from mistakes and the other involved a cruel deflection for an own goal. Colombia, meanwhile, looked thoroughly convincing their 3-0 demolition of Poland. History is on Colombia’s side, with African sides faring poorly in World Cup fixtures against South American opponents.
There is certainly a potential for goals here. Both sides’ fixtures in this tournament have gone over 2.5 goals, while their only previous head-to-head meeting resulted 2-2. Senegal have played one previous World Cup fixture against a South American side, and that ended 3-3 against Uruguay. Senegal have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last six World Cup fixtures.
Betting tip: back over 2.5 goals at 2.12 (Betfair). If I had to pick a correct score it would be Senegal 1-2 Colombia at 9.00 (bet365, Sportsbet).
Notes
- FIFA World rankings are from the 7th of June and sourced from https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/ranking-table/men/index.html
- The World Football Elo Ratings are from the 11th of June and are based on the Elo rating system, developed by Dr. Arpad Elo. This system is used by the international chess federation to rate chess players and is considered by many to be a superior rating tool to the one used by FIFA. The ratings have been sourced from https://www.eloratings.net/.
- Squad lists sourced from http://www.skysports.com/football/news/12098/11374464/every-world-cup-squad-listed-argentina-brazil-russia-and-more