Senegal vs Ivory Coast preview

November 16, 2013
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Senegal vs Ivory CoastSenegal will have a tough task of neutralizing a two-goal deficit when they host Ivory Coast in the World Cup qualifying play-off return leg, with the Elephants clear favourites to go through following the 3-1 triumph in Abidjan.

Having impressed to reach the quarter-finals at their first World Cup appearance in 2002, the Teranga Lions were tipped for big things, but they have instead largely struggled of late.

While failing to qualify for the next two World Cups, Senegal only made it to last four of the Africa Cup of Nations once from next six attempts, although they have been showing some improvement under Alain Giresse.

The Teranga Lions finished top of their qualifying group in front of Uganda, Angola and Liberia, but they were very unfortunate to be pitted against star-studded Ivory Coast in the play-offs.

And while the team are in a very difficult position following the 3-1 defeat in the first leg, they are now 4.75 (15/4) to win the return match on home soil.

With the likes of Papiss Cisse, Moussa Sow and Dame N’Doye set to start up front, there may be some value in odds of 3.85 (57/20) offered on Senegal to score two or more.

The good news is Alain Giresse has absolutely no selection worries, although Chelsea striker Demba Ba continues to be overlooked.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Coundoul – Cissokho, L. Sane, Kouyate, M’Bengue – Diame, Gueye, N’Diaye – Sow, Cisse, N’Doye.

Widely regarded as the strongest national team in Africa, Ivory Coast have become famous for failing to live up to their potential and nothing seems to have changed in this department of late.

With the Elephants crashing out in the quarter-finals at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, the 1992 triumph in Senegal remains their only AFCON title to date, but at least the team are on the road to achieve their third straight World Cup qualification.

Having been eliminated in group stage in 2006 and 2010, the Elephants will be hoping to go one step further this time out, but they first need to finish the job against Senegal and qualify for Brazil.

The 3-1 triumph in Abidjan ensured Sabri Lamouchi’s side go into the return leg high on confidence, so bear in mind away win pays 1.83 (5/6).

However, with several important players unavailable, the visitors could be in for a tough task in Casablanca. The match will be played in Morocco as Senegal have been banned from playing on home soil.

Cheick Tiote and Geoffroy Serey Die are both suspended, whereas Gervinho, Arthur Boka and Siaka Tiene miss out through injury.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Copa – Aurier, K. Toure, Bamba, Boka – Zokora, Romaric – Gradel, Y. Toure, S. Kalou – Drogba.

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