World Cup Qualifiers: Senegal vs Egypt live
Preview
Today at 17:00 GMT, the Stade Me Abdoulaye Wade will host an African heavyweight showdown between Senegal and Egypt in the second leg of their World Cup qualifier encounter.
Senegal’s chances of qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup were harmed after a 1-0 loss to Egypt in the opening leg of the playoffs on Friday. Mohamed Salah of Liverpool was at the centre of the action once again, as his drive deflected in off Saliou Ciss in the opening four minutes, separating the two teams. This came after an unblemished run in the qualifying group rounds, where they won five games and drew one to finish first in Group H, eight points ahead of Togo.
Aliou Cisse’s side had also been unbeaten in 13 straight games in all competitions before Friday’s loss, a record that saw them win their first ever Africa Cup of Nations trophy at the expense of Egypt back in January. Senegal, on the other hand, will be hopeful of reversing their one-goal deficit today when they return home for the first time since July 2019, having won seven and drawn one of their eight games since then.
Egypt, on the other hand, now ranked 34th in the FIFA World Rankings, are one step away from equaling Algeria’s record of four World Cup appearances. The win on Friday came after a humiliating setback in the AFCON final against Senegal in January. Egypt’s Pharaohs have gone undefeated in their quest for a World Cup berth, winning four games and drawing two to finish first in Group F of the qualifiers with 14 points. Carlos Queiroz’s team have failed to win any of their last three away games against the Lions of Teranga, and will be looking to break that streak and avenge their AFCON final defeat.
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Head-to-head
So far, the teams of Senegal and Egypt have played eight matches. Senegal won three of the four direct matches. Three matches were won by Egypt. Two games finished in a stalemate.
Prediction
Senegal will enjoy their chances of overcoming a one-goal deficit on home soil, where they have been completely dominant. Since 2019, they have gone undefeated in all but one of their eight home games, winning seven of them. While going up against a Salah-led Egypt side is a difficult job for any team, we believe Senegal will win tonight and win the tournament overall.
