Japan vs. Senegal tips & value odds – 2018 FIFA World Cup betting

Optimism abounds for Senegal ahead of their second match of Group H of the 2018 FIFA World Cup against Japan.

The West Africans will be mindful of another emphatic performance, with the match scheduled to take place on Sunday at the Ekaterinburg Arena.

Much like they did during their first appearance at the FIFA World Cup finals sixteen years ago, Senegal heralded their campaign by causing a major upset – this time against group favorites Poland.

Although the Lions of Teranga aren’t by any account minions, given that most players in the team are plying their trade in the top five divisions in Europe, the victory was still viewed as a major upset considering Poland are positioned eighth in the last FIFA rankings.

Aliou Cisse, who has injected a winning mentality since taking charge in 2015, saw his charges deservedly earn the lead eight minutes before the break- albeit through an own goal. Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye launched a solid strike on goal but the ball took a huge deflection off Thiago Cionek to sail into the back of the net.

Poland struggled to break down Senegal who were quicker and more robust, which left Robert Lewandowski maligned upfront with little supply coming his way. M’Baye Niang- who was only being allowed back into the field of play after an injury treatment- used his blistering pace to intercept on a weak back pass; directing the ball into an unguarded net at the hour mark after Wojciech Szczesny was well beaten.

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Few expected Poland to be so accommodating given their top billing, even as the second goal sparked an outbreak of mass ecstasy across the African continent. The Europeans took the late initiative and finally found their breakthrough four minutes before the halfway mark through Grzegorz Krychowiak, but Senegal never looked like relinquishing the lead despite the cagey exchanges in the closing moments of the encounter.

Japan on the other hand registered a thrilling 2-1 victory over Colombia in an earlier fixture of the group. Former Manchester United forward Shinji Kagawa gave Japan the lead from the spot after Carlos Sanchez was sent off in the third minute for a handball; the booking resulting in a subsequent penalty.

Despite being reduced to ten men, Colombia’s fighting spirit paid off after Juan Quintero leveled proceedings with a well worked free-kick before the break. The numbers gain would eventually win the day nonetheless, as Japan regained their lead in the 73rd minute through a Yuya Osako header from a corner.

Japan and Senegal as such lead Group H on three points, having scored and conceded an equal number of goals, which all the more sets precedent for a promising encounter in Yekaterinburg.

Japan vs. Senegal betting prediction

Senegal were a great a credit to themselves and the African continent with a fine performance in their opening match, but the bout against Japan will help define their true place in the hierarchy.

The Blue Samurai struggled against 10-man Colombia, compared to Senegal who convincingly brushed aside Poland. Furthermore, the West Africans have an imposing physical presence which gives them a real fighting chance in the group.

Senegal & Japan recent results

Senegal:
Poland 1-2 Senegal (June 19, 2018)
Grzegorz Krychowiak 86′
Thiago Cionek 37′ (OG)
M’Baye Niang 60′

Japan:
Colombia 1-2 Japan (June 19, 2018)
Juan Quintero 39′
Shinji Kagawa 6′ (P)
Yuya Osako 73′