Senegal v Algeria: Algerians good value to send the Lions packing

Expect Algeria to be celebrating come the final whistle against lop-sided Senegal

Dave Farrar predicts the Lions of Teranga will 'do a Gabon' and catch the next flight home...

Senegal v Algeria
Tuesday, 18:00
Live on ITV4

We've already seen one team at this tournament start with a win against their apparently biggest rivals, only to lose their next two matches and fade out of contention. And I'm starting to wonder whether Senegal are about to "do a Gabon" and catch the next flight home. 

Ivory Coast are meant to be the lopsided team at these events, all attack and no substance, but it's been equally true of the Lions of Teranga this time around.  

You can take a cursory look at the options from which Alain Giresse can choose, and make the lazy assumption that they should be one of the favourites here, especially given their excellent defensive record in qualifying. Two of Moussa Sow, Papiss Ciss, Mame Biram Diouf, Dame N'Doye and Sadio Mane would get into most teams at this tournament, but so far they have been starved of service. 

When a physical Ghana tried to match them in that opening game, Senegal were able to bully the Black Stars and snatch a late winner. When South Africa backed up their pre-match talk and tried to pass the ball around them, and use pace and intelligence to beat them, it very nearly worked. 

The Senegalese midfield looked cumbersome and clumsy, and Diouf and co were starved.  Senegal's problem here is that Algeria play like South Africa, but they do it a whole lot better.  

I wouldn't read too much into Algeria's defeat by Ghana. It was a tight game between two good teams, and it was won by a moment of brilliance. That can happen. If Algeria stick to what they're good at, and follow the Bafana Bafana plan, then their nimble front six should be far too good for Senegal and I'm confident that they can land a win which is currently priced at 2.68/5. 

All of that would lead to Ghana winning the Group and Algeria finishing second, leading us to two highly unpredictable quarter-finals against Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Guinea or Mali. 

If both Group C teams head into those games with momentum as I think they will, then we could be looking at two semi finalists, both with a great chance of going all the way. 

Recommended Bet:
Back Algeria to beat Senegal @ 2.68/5