Our betting expert provides Senegal vs Gambia predictions for this opening match in Group C of AFCON 2024. The Lions of Teranga are the favourites to win and with good reason. Our predictions piece backs them to win and has picks for the goals total and correct score.
Senegal vs Gambia Predictions & Tips
- Senegal and under 2.5 at 2.72 at Bet9ja
- Senegal and under 3.5 at 1.80 at Bet9ja
- Under 1.5 goals at 2.95 at Bet9ja
- Draw/Senegal HT/FT Result at 3.80 at Bet9ja
- Highest scoring half second at 2.08 at Bet9ja
- Senegal to win by one at 3.30 at Bet9ja
- Senegal to win 1-0 at 6.0 at Bet9ja
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A narrow victory anticipated for Senegal
Senegal head into the 2024 AFCON with one of the best squads. With Edouard Mendy guarding the goal, Kalidou Koulibaly anchoring the defence and Ismaila Sarr in attack, plenty of teams will fear the Teranga Lions.
A 1-0 warm-up friendly against Niger served as an ideal opportunity to freshen up before the tournament begins. Niger are the comfortable favourites to beat Gambia.
Gambia qualified for AFCON by finishing in second place, just behind Mali. However, it was a relatively weak group, consisting of Congo and South Sudan.
We don’t often see too many goals when Senegal face other African teams. A narrow, yet a comfortable win is expected here. These two sides haven’t met since 2015. On that occasion, Senegal secured a 1-0 victory.
Bet 1: Senegal to win and under 2.5 goals @ 2.72 with Bet9ja
Dominance to show in the second half
AFCON matches are usually close affairs, especially in the group stage. The first group game can set the scene for the rest of the tournament, with both teams likely to prioritise defensive play in the first half.
Senegal’s last two matches have been 0-0 at half-time. There is a strong possibility of this happening again against Gambia.
However, with the number of skilled players they have in attack, their overall quality should eventually shine through.
Gambia have never beaten Senegal before, but their recent form has shown they might be able to hold them until half-time. Senegal are so short to win the game, but this half-time/full-time bet offers plenty of value and a potential second winner from our tips.
Bet 2: Draw/Senegal HT/FT Result at 3.80 with Bet9ja
Lions to secure all three points
Despite beating Gambia twice, Senegal have also drawn against them twice. Recent wins against Mali, South Sudan, along with a draw against Congo, show Gambia won’t be as easy as bookmakers suggest.
However, with the likes of Sadio Mane in the squad, Senegal should have the edge. Mane has scored 12 goals for Al-Nassr this season.
Senegal recently beat Cameroon 1-0, with Mane scoring the lone goal through a 35th-minute penalty.
Over their past five matches, only the game against South Sudan at home featured more than one goal.
Bet 3: Senegal to win by one goal @ 3.30 with Bet9ja
Goals more likely in the second half
Senegal have struggled to score in their recent fixtures, excluding their match against South Sudan at home. Meanwhile, Gambia concede a lot of goals.
In their last five matches, the Scorpions have conceded two in four of them, as well as one in the other. Their last clean sheet came in a 1-0 victory over Mali at home.
We predict Senegal to be frustrated, similar to their last two matches. They may not break the deadlock until the second half. With so much at stake, the two teams will be working each other out in the first 45 minutes.
However, once Senegal find their rhythm, their top players could unlock a fragile defence. Gambia will lose focus, and the Teranga Lions can pounce.
Bet 4: Highest scoring half second @ 2.08 with Bet9ja
