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On Sunday night, England face Senegal for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals. Both sides go into the game with a spring in their steps after winning their respective final group stage fixtures. With so much riding on the game, many people are anticipating a cagey affair but after the past couple of days of thrilling World Cup action, it feels like almost anything could happen. Here are a few betting tips to wet your appetite ahead of the big game.
Match winner
The only thing that matters for both Gareth Southgate and Aliou Cissé tomorrow night is the outcome of the match. If Senegal make it the quarter-finals then they will become the first African side in history to reach the last eight on two occasions. For England, it’s one step closer to ending the 56 year wait for a major international trophy.
While only one side can progress, betting markets still offer punters the option of a draw as the match result is essentially the “90-minute” result. With Ladbrokes, you can get 8/15 on an England win, 13/2 on a Senegal win and 11/4 on a draw.
Over/under goals
Going off form, it’s difficult to know what to expect from England. There were eight goals in their opening game against Iran and they put three past Wales last time out, but played out a scoreless stalemate in their other group fixture.
In terms of Senegal’s fixtures, there was an average of three goals in each one throughout the group stage. Going off form, then, over 2.5 goals at 5/4 does look appealing. Despite that, this is a World Cup knockout match with everything riding on it so a 1-0 either way wouldn’t surprise us. Under 1.5 goals is 7/4 with Ladbrokes.
First goalscorer
With Sadio Mane injured, Senegal’s forward line doesn’t looks as imposing as it would have done if the Bayern Munich star was fit. Despite that, Ismaïla Sarr and Boulaye Dia certainly have enough about them to nick a goal or two. Sarr is 11/1 and Dia is 10/1 to score the first goal of the game with Ladbrokes.
For England, there are so many options across the forward line that it’s worth staying clear of this market until the team is officially announced. If you want to go early then skipper, Harry Kane, at 11/4 isn’t a bad shout – especially with England overdue a penalty.
To win on penalties
The start of the knockout rounds means the possibility of extra time and penalties. England have a rocky relationship with penalty shootouts at international tournaments and lost their most recent one to Italy in the European Championships final last year.
Senegal, on the other hand, would certainly fancy their chances in a shootout. They beat Egypt in a shootout to win the African Nations Cup earlier this year and then did the exact same thing again against the same opponent in the final qualifying round for the World Cup. It is 12/1 with Ladbrokes for either side to win the tie on penalties.
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