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Senegal vs Botswana Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Senegal should be untroubled in AFCON opener
Senegal takes on Botswana in their AFCON Group D opener. As reigning champions, Senegal enters the match in high spirits, especially after an 8-0 thrashing of Kenya. Led by stars like Sadio Mane, they are favorites against a struggling Botswana, which hasn't won a match since March. With a strong squad and seasoned performance history, Senegal is predicted to secure a clean-sheet victory, possibly with a 3-0 scoreline. Botswana, meanwhile, will look to defy odds despite their recent form, aiming to make an impact in only their second AFCON appearance.
- Senegal vs Botswana predictions for Tuesday's AFCON Group D game
- Senegal are amongst the AFCON favourites
- Botswana enters as underdogs, with no victories inside 90 mins since March.
- Senegal predicted to win 3-0, continuing their clean-sheet trend in openers
- The game is scheduled for kick off at 2.00am AEDT on Wednesday December 24
Expired
Sadio Mane of Senegal (Photo by Getty Images)
Senegal vs Botswana Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
Senegal launch their AFCON trophy pursuit when they come up against Botswana in Group D action at the Stade Ibn Batouta in Tangier on Tuesday.
One of the pre-tournament favourites for the trophy, Senegal will certainly take some beating over the course of the next month. AFCON champions in 2021, Senegal are equipped with a world class squad that defeated England earlier this year, led by the likes of Sadio Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly, Nicolas Jackson and Ismaila Sarr. Confidence is sky-high in the Senegal camp coming into this clash after they recorded their biggest ever win, crushing Kenya 8-0 in a warm-up game. Meanwhile, Botswana are amongst the biggest outsiders at this year's AFCON and aren't expected to make much of an impact, heading into the competition having not won inside 90 minutes since March.
Senegal traditionally start the AFCON strongly and the majority of their recent wins have been to nil, while their tournament openers are usually accompanied by a clean sheet as well. As such, a win to nil for the Lions of Teranga appeals, while Mane was the top scorer in both World Cup and AFCON qualifying - he looks a solid option to find the back of the net. Botswana have conceded exactly three goals to Algeria twice this year - Senegal are of similar class, so 3-0 is a value option for correct score bettors.
Senegal vs Botswana Stats & Trends
- Senegal have won five of their last six games in all competitions
- Four of those five wins for Senegal have been to nil
- Senegal are unbeaten inside 90 minutes at the AFCON since 2019
- Senegal have won their opening game at the AFCON in their last five appearances, doing so to nil on four occasions
- Botswana lost all three of their AFCON group games in their only previous appearance in 2012
- Botswana have lost four of their last five games in all competitions
- Senegal have won the previous two meetings between the teams to nil
- Senegal beat Botswana 3-0 in their most-recent clash
- Botswana conceded exactly three goals to Algeria twice in 2025
- Sadio Mane has scored 51 goals in 119 appearances for Senegal and was top scorer for the team in both AFCON and World Cup qualifying
Senegal vs Botswana Head to Head
Senegal have won the only two previous encounters between the teams.
Senegal Form Analysis
Senegal are in electric form coming into the AFCON, bulldozing their way through World Cup qualifying to secure their spot in North America next year, while they were also dominant in qualifying for this tournament.
As if Senegal needed any more confidence ahead of the tournament, they absolutely obliterated Kenya 8-0 in their final warm-up game. Senegal's only defeat inside 90 minutes in their last 12 games was against Brazil - and they dominated large parts of that game, while they also registered a big 3-1 win over England earlier this year.
Indeed, the Lions of Teranga went unbeaten in their 10 World Cup qualifying games, finishing top of their group ahead of DR Congo, while they also topped their AFCON qualifying group, winning five of their six games and finishing with a goal difference of 10-1.
As if Senegal needed any more confidence ahead of the tournament, they absolutely obliterated Kenya 8-0 in their final warm-up game. Senegal's only defeat inside 90 minutes in their last 12 games was against Brazil - and they dominated large parts of that game, while they also registered a big 3-1 win over England earlier this year.
Senegal Team News
Winger Assane Diao has been ruled out of the tournament with a thigh injury, but otherwise manager Pape Thiaw has a full squad to choose from.
- Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy (Al Ahli), Yehvann Diouf (Nice), Mory Diaw (Le Havre)
- Defenders: Ilay Camara (Anderlecht), Krépin Diatta (AS Monaco), Antoine Mendy (Nice), Kalidou Koulibaly (Al Hilal), Abdoulaye Sek (Maccabi Haifa), Moussa Niakhate (Lyon), Mamadou Sarr (Strasbourg), El-Hadji Malick Diouf (West Ham), Ismail Jakobs (Galatasaray)
- Midfielders: Idrissa Gana Gueye (Everton), Habib Diarra (Sunderland), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham), Pape Alassane Gueye (Villarreal), Lamine Camara (AS Monaco), Pathe Ciss (Rayo Vallecano)
- Forwards: Sadio Mane (Al Nassr), Iliman Ndiaye (Everton), Nicolas Jackson (Bayern Munich), Habib Diallo (Metz), Boulaye Dia (Lazio), Cheikh T Sabaly (Metz), Assane Diao (Como), Ibrahim Mbaye (PSG), Cherif Ndiaye (Samsunspor), Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace)
Botswana Form Analysis
Botswana are competing in just their second AFCON, with their only previous appearance in 2012 resulting in the side exiting in the group stage with three defeats.
There's no doubt Botswana will be punching above their weight in Morocco - they head into this encounter having lost four of their last five games.
However, the Zebras should be buoyed by a 1-1 draw during AFCON qualifying with Egypt that helped secure their spot in Morocco - also proving they can compete with the elite nations on the continent.
In saying that, only five players in the squad play their club football outside of Botswana, so Morena Ramoreboli's side will be facing an uphill battle to be competitive.
Senegal vs Botswana Live Stream
Watch and bet on Senegal vs Botswana live AFCON soccer from Tangier.
You can watch and bet on the match live at Bet365 > Soccer > AFCON with the action available to stream on desktop and mobile.
Geo-restrictions apply, you'll need a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours to gain access. 18+ terms and conditions apply.
Verdict
Senegal are backed for a routine opening win here, keeping a clean sheet as veteran winger Sadio Mane looks to continue his impeccable form for his country.
Senegal
Win To Nil
$1.60 - 4 Units
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Sadio Mane
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$2.10 - 1 Unit
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Senegal 3-0
Correct Score
$6.00 - 1 Unit
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