Senegal vs DR Congo: Match preview, head-to-head, team news, line-ups, prediction

Senegal take on DR Congo in the Africa Cup of Nations at Grand Stade de Tanger on Saturday afternoon.

The Teranga Lions produced a dominant display to claim a 3-0 win over Botswana last time out. DR Congo also got off their campaign with a victory, beating Benin 1-0.

Match preview

Senegal are considered one of the favourites for this competition and laid down a marker against Botswana.

Pape Thiaw’s side created a record nine big chances, while limiting the opposition to none and also registered 17 shots on target.

Skipper Sadio Mane was lively, registering six shots on target, but Nicolas Jackson was named man-of-the-match after scoring a brace.

By contrast, DR Congo were not domineering against Benin, but did enough to secure a victory.

Despite having less of the ball, the Leopards created more chances and defended thoroughly throughout the clash.

Spartak Moscow winger Theo Bongonda stood out for the Leopards and scored the decisive goal. He will be one of the players to watch out for in this fixture.

Head-to-head

Both sides have met 10 times, with Senegal winning six, DR Congo claiming two victories and the other two matches ending in draws.

Team news

Senegal have no injury concerns and will welcome back West Ham United full-back El Hadji Malick Diouf from suspension, while DR Congo have a fully-fit squad.

Predicted line-ups

Senegal (4-2-3-1): Edouard Mendy, Krepin Diatta, Kalidou Koulibaly, Moussa Niakhate, Ismail Jakobs, Pape Gueye, Idrissa Gueye, Sadio Mane, Iliman Ndiaye, Ismaila Sarr, Nicolas Jackson

DR Congo (4-1-4-1): Lionel Mpasi-Nzau, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Chancel Mbemba, Axel Tuanzebe, Arthur Masuaku, Samuel Moutossamy, Theo Bongonda, Edo Kayembe, Noah Sadiki, Nathanael Mbuku, Cedric Bakambu

Prediction

This fixture is expected to be highly competitive, with the victor likely to emerge as group winners. We predict a 2-1 win for Senegal.

Stats from 11v11.com & sofascore.com