Benin vs Senegal Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Benin have been surprisingly competitive and improved in the last 18 months and they now have a chance to continue that against a strong Senegalese side this week.

Kick-off date/time:

How to watch on TV: UK – Matches will be televised across the Channel 4 network / USA – beIN Sports

How to watch online: UK – All 4 & Channel 4 Sport YouTube / USA – beIN Sports Connect & Fubo

Benin preview: Impressive Benin

In qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Benin were very impressive but eventually finished below both Nigeria and South Africa due to defeats in their last two games, but they have remained competitive once again in this competition.

Benin began their CAF Africa Cup of Nations group stage campaign with a slender 1-0 defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo before earning their own 1-0 win against Botswana the other day.

Senegal preview: Strong Senegal

Pape Thiaw has taken over from Aliou Cisse but the Senegalese national side remain an extremely strong team with a lot of experience and pedigree throughout their squad, as well as some new blood to build on from their improvement over the last half a decade.

The Lions of Teranga started their AFCON campaign with a 3-0 hammering of the aforementioned Botswana before a hard-fought 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo in Tangier.

Benin team news: No need to change 

Benin have a fully fit and available squad and, given the fact that they won the other day, there doesn’t appear to be any need for them to make any changes for this one.

Predicted XI (4-3-3): Dandjinou; Ouorou, Verdon, Tijani, Roche; Dodo, D’Almeida, Imourane; Olaitan, Mounie, Tosin

Unavailable: 

Questionable: 

Senegal team news: Strong depth

Senegal, not yet through, may well have wanted to rotate here, especially with ageing stars like Idrissa Gueye and Sadio Mane, but it is unlikely to make too many changes.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Mendy; Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Jakobs; I. Gueye, P. Gueye; Sarr, Ndiaye, Mane; Jackson

Unavailable: 

Questionable: 

Benin vs Senegal prediction

Benin are a competitive team and they have been improving, as proven their recent performances in FIFA World Cup qualifying. Benin are a low-scoring team with their two games have produced just two goals. They now face a Senegalese side that have a lot of depth and quality, and should be more than capable of being one of the few teams to finish the group stages with a 100% record.

Benin vs Senegal tip: Senegal to win