Group H at the World Cup in Russia rolls on with Poland meeting Senegal on June 19th. Both teams have star players capable of turning a match on its head, but the supporting casts could be the difference in this crucial game.
What To Know About Poland
Poland are back at the World Cup after failing to qualify in each of the last two editions. However, they did make it to the quarterfinals of the 2016 European Championships, and they won their UEFA group to qualify. Robert Lewandowski is one of the very best strikers in the world and he scored 16 goals during qualification; if he is scoring like that, Poland will be very tough to beat. However, it isn’t just the Lewandowski show as midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak, and defenders Kamil Glik and Lukasz Piszczek are all solid players. If there is a major worry, it comes in goal. Wojciech Szczesny is probably going to start between the sticks, even though he didn’t play much behind Gianluigi Buffon at Juventus. Szczesny has to get focused quickly if Poland are going to make a run in Russia.
What To Know About Senegal
Senegal are making just their second World Cup appearance; their first came back in 2002 and they reached the quarterfinals. They won their CAF group to qualify for the World Cup, and they have a very strong midfield, led by captain Cheikhou Kouyate and Idrissa Gueye. They also have talent up front, led by Sadio Mane, who is coming off an excellent year at Liverpool. However, while Senegal does have talent, they don’t have Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, Mane’s teammates at Liverpool. M’Baye Niang and Diafra Sakho have to create space for Mane to use his speed. Like Poland, Senegal has some issues at the back and the major problem is experience. Kara Mbodji’s 51 appearances leads his country, while keeper Khadim N’Diaye has just 24 appearances. Senegal can’t afford to make many mistakes at the back if they even want to get out of the group stages.
Outlook
Poland are favored in this Group H match at 2.25, while Senegal are rated at 3.40 and a draw comes in at 3.10. This is the first time that these two countries have met in international soccer. Most of the attention in this game is going to go to Lewandowski for Poland, and Mane for Liverpool. But their teammates have to step up and this game is going to be won in midfield. The matchup of Krychowiak against Kouyate in the middle of the park will be fascinating as the two battle for control of that area. This could quietly be one of the best games of the first volley of group-stage games, but the slightest of edges goes to Poland. Their defense is just a bit better than Senegal’s, and even though Szczesny hasn’t played a lot, he is still better and more experienced than N’Diaye at the other end. It should be a back-and-forth game, but give the nod to Poland.
World Cup Betting Pick: Draw
Looking for the odds to win the 2018 World Cup? Check out Play Shangrila to get the odds for matches, props and betting lines to win it all!
