England vs Senegal World Cup Picks and Predictions: Three Lions Take Over in Second Half

Sunday gives us a big clash in the Round of 16 with England facing Senegal at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, just north of Doha. England won Group B to earn their spot here — with World Cup odds installing them as heavy favorites in this matchup — while Senegal finished second to the Netherlands in Group A

Who will win and go on to face the victor of France vs. Poland in the quarterfinal of the World Cup? Find out in our England vs. Senegal World Cup betting picks and predictions. 

England vs Senegal odds

England vs Senegal picks and predictions

The World Cup group stages have drawn to a close. Some teams have already flown home, and now the real business of the competition starts with the knockout rounds. The Round of 16 starts this weekend and Sunday gives us a huge European vs. African clash.

It’s always a clash of styles when teams from different continents meet, but plenty of Senegalese stars have played in the Premier League and the teams will be more familiar with each other than you’d expect.

England topped Group B with seven points, beating Iran and Wales comprehensively with a poor 0-0 draw against the USA sandwiched in the middle. Senegal finished second in Group A with a 2-1 win over Ecuador on the final day cementing their spot, having beaten hosts Qatar before then and suffering an opening game defeat to the Netherlands.

England are a hard team to evaluate. They looked good against Iran and Wales in the second half, while also being pretty uncreative against the USA. I think the reality is that after conceding two against Iran, Gareth Southgate is taking his team into games looking to keep tight at the back and rely on the team’s quality to score one or two goals.

It’s a strategy that should do well for them, and while fans might want to see the team take off the handbrake, it’s likely they get further by playing conservatively and smartly than going all-out attack.

England will be confident that they have enough to beat Senegal and they will. I don’t think it’ll be a rout though and I expect England to start slow, much like they did against Wales.

For that reason, I think the +300 you can get on it being a draw at halftime, with England winning at fulltime is a huge price. We’ve seen a lot of games at this World Cup being tied at halftime, not least two of England’s three matches.

Rely on Southgate’s cautious nature and the quality of talent in this England squad to get this bet over the line, with great value at +300.

My best bet: Draw/England HT/FT (+300 at bet365)

England vs Senegal side analysis

I’ve been waiting for England to revert to playing five at the back, but it’s likely to be another week yet, with that formation potentially a big fit against France in a potential quarterfinal. For this game, Southgate will likely stick with the 4-3-3 that has served them well so far and matches up well with Senegal’s 4-2-3-1.

Kyle Walker should keep the right-back slot with the same back four that played against Wales with Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, and John Stones looking like a polished unit. The biggest question will be midfield. Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice feel like locks but will it be Jordan Henderson, Kalvin Phillips, or Mason Mount alongside?

Southgate’s biggest dilemma will be who to play alongside Harry Kane. Jack Grealish, Marcus Rashford, Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling, and Bukayo Saka all have arguments as to why they deserve to start, but there are only two slots. Rashford’s ability in front of goal might get him the nod, having already scored three goals in the tournament.

Senegal’s hopes will be based around Boulaye Dia up front, with the Salernitana striker the man tasked with scoring their goals. Ismaila Starr plays on the left of the Senegal attack and will be familiar to the England team, having played for Watford for the past three seasons.

England should have enough to secure a place in the next round and will qualify to face the winner of France vs. Poland.

England vs Senegal Over/Under analysis

I’ve got no strong lean here and the bookies seem to think it’ll be low scoring, with Under 2.5 goals available at -163. Given what we’ve seen from both teams you’d probably say the Under is the best choice. Senegal look competent defensively and haven’t really set the world alight going forward.

On the flip side, we know that Southgate’s England play cautiously. If you follow those two trends then Under 2.5 goals makes the most sense. Although, this is knockout football and an early goal for either team totally blows that wide open and could change the course of the game.

England vs Senegal game info

England vs Senegal key injuries

England: Ben White (Out).
Senegal: No injuries to report.

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