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Senegal squeezed through to the knockouts after beating Iraq 5-0 in their final group stage game, which made their goal difference good enough to rank in the top eight of the 3rd-placed teams. The Lions were helped by an early red card for Rebin Sulaka, but Senegal still needed to be clinical in the final third.

Prior to that, Senegal were far from convincing - they were beaten 3-1 by France in their opening game, before losing 3-2 against Norway in their next match. Goals have been aplenty whenever Senegal are involved, and their defensive record should give Belgium confidence.

The Red Devils also ended their group stage campaign on a high, thrashing New Zealand 5-1 in a dominant display which highlights just how strong they are going forward.

Both Senegal and Belgium have looked a lot more comfortable going forward, than they have when defending. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see chances available at both ends of the field here, which makes corners a target. 

Belgium cleared this line on their own against New Zealand, finishing that game with exactly eight corners. With Jeremy Doku back in the first team picture, Belgium’s threat from wide areas has increased significantly. 

Senegal are averaging 11.34 corners per game at the World Cup so far, with 6.67 for and 4.67 conceded, and this selection has landed in all three of their World Cup matches so far.

Kevin De Bruyne had four shots against Egypt, then five against Iran, so he was unfortunate not to find the back of the net in those matches. The former Man City man finally opened his account at this World Cup against New Zealand last time out, firing one into the bottom corner from outside the box to score Belgium’s third of the game. He recorded seven shots in total, with two hitting the target, meaning De Bruyne has already racked up 16 shots at the World Cup so far. 

Even at 34 years old, this Belgium attack is still built around De Bruyne, and the Red Devils will be relying on their attacking midfielder to provide a moment of inspiration against Senegal.

Pape Gueye was the standout performer for Senegal against Iraq last time out, bagging himself a brace. Both of his goals were both screamers which nestled into the top corner, so he should come into this clash full of confidence. 

Pape Gueye only featured for the final 30 minutes off the bench as well, but that was also enough time for him to pick up a yellow card. The 27-year-old is a combative presence in midfield, and he had an average of 2.78 fouls per 90 for Senegal during their AFCON campaign, picking up two yellow cards from his five starts. He also had an average of 1.49 fouls per 90 across all competitions for Villarreal this season.

Pape Gueye should find duels against Youri Tielemans in midfield, and that is a matchup to keep a close eye on. The Aston Villa midfielder has landed this selection in all three of his World Cup appearances so far, with a total of seven fouls drawn across those games. In fact, he also landed this selection in each of his four starts for Belgium prior to the World Cup, which shows just how consistently he has been able to clear this line. 

Tielemans typically sees a lot of the ball for Belgium in midfield, and he is adept at using his body to buy free kicks when pressed. Senegal like to be aggressive in their duels, particularly in midfield, which makes this market one to target again.

Maxim De Cuyper scored just twice from his 30 Premier League appearances for Brighton this season, which doesn't quite show just how much he contributes going forward. He had an average of 2.36 shots per 90 across his six qualifying starts for Belgium, with two of those efforts finding the back of the net. 

De Cuyper is afforded plenty of attacking freedom by Rudi Garcia, who likes his full backs to be front-footed and push into advanced positions. The Brighton man only featured from the bench against Egypt in round one of the World Cup, but he had five shots against Iran in the proceeding match, and four of those hit the target. Even against New Zealand last time out, De Cuyper landed this selection as one of his two efforts forced a save from the opposing goalkeeper.

Ismaila Sarr was also on the scoresheet against Iraq, as he managed three shots, and two hit the target. Prior to that, he scored a brace against Norway, meaning Sarr is currently the top scorer for Senegal at this World Cup. 

Sarr has been able to carry forward his impressive form for Crystal Palace into this tournament, after scoring 21 goals in 43 appearances across all competitions. He is one of Senegal's most in-form attacking players at the moment. 

Sarr accounted for three of Senegal's six shots against France in round one, but was unfortunate that none of those efforts found the target. Still, he was able to find some promising positions, and that should be the case again here. 

Brandon Mechele had an average of just 0.85 fouls per 90 for Club Brugge this season, which is nothing to write home about, but his role for Belgium is considerably different to what is asked of him at club level. The centre back is tasked with being a lot more aggressive in his duels, which has translated to five fouls committed in his three World Cup appearances so far.

Mechele has so far been fortunate to escape without a booking in any of those appearances, but this upcoming clash against Senegal looks set to be his toughest test yet. He will have to deal with the likes of Nicolas Jackson, Sadio Mane and Ismaila Sarr.

On the opposite side, Moussa Niakhate has been a bit more reserved in terms of fouls, with just three to his name, but he has been adept at drawing contact throughout the tournament. The 30-year-old has actually drawn the joint-most fouls of any Senegal player at this World Cup so far, which has been useful to alleviate the pressure on his side.

He tends to go down quite easily when he does feel contact, which makes Niakhate quite a frustrating opponent to come up against. There should be plenty of pressure for him to absorb against Belgium, so this market is one to target for him again.

Brandon Mechele has landed this selection in two of his three starts for Belgium at the World Cup so far, but this looks like his toughest matchup on paper. Mechele recorded exactly two infringements against Egypt and New Zealand, respectively, but he will now have to deal with the Senegalese attacking trio of Nicolas Jackson, Sadio Mane and Ismaila Sarr. 

Rudi Garcia wants his centre backs to be aggressive in their challenges, looking to win the ball back high up the field, which means they are usually heavily involved in duels. It is a different style of play to what Mechele is best suited for, as the Club Brugge centre back had an average of just 0.85 fouls per 90 at a domestic level this season, which Senegal will hope to exploit. Mane has already drawn six fouls at this World Cup, while Sarr is not too far behind with four fouls drawn.