Senegal vs Congo DR Prediction: Jackson to open up in Tanger

Senegal, one of the favourites to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, made a terrific start to this year's tournament, beating Botswana 3-0 in Tanger on Tuesday. Next up for the Lions of Teranga is a Saturday game (15:00 GMT, 4seven) against Congo DR, who also collected a clean sheet in an opening-round victory over Benin (1-0).

Below you can find my Senegal vs Congo DR predictions, alongside all the latest team news and match odds, ahead of this Group D game at the Stade Ibn Batouta in Tanger.

Team News

Senegal can call upon El Hadji Malick Diouf for the first time this tournament after the West Ham United defender served a suspension in Tuesday's victory. The 20-year-old could replace Galatasaray's Ismail Jakobs at left-back.

That's likely to be the only change Pape Thiaw makes to his starting XI, with Nicolas Jackson, who bagged a brace earlier in the week, set to lead an exciting front four again, also featuring Sadio Mane, Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr.

Football Odds

Congo DR could go with the same starting XI that did the business against Benin.

Theo Bongonda scored the only goal of the game in the 16th minute, with Ngalayel Mukau, Joris Kayembe, Meschack Elia, Fiston Mayele and Brian Cipenga all utilised as second-half substitutes.

Senegal vs Congo DR Odds

Senegal, who have won five of the last six head-to-heads, are 4/5 favourites for the three points on Saturday, implying a 55.6% probability of success. Congo DR are 4/1, or a 20% chance, to upset the odds, with the draw offered at 23/10.

Price Boosts - Nicolas Jackson (SEN) To Score The First Goal @ 4/1 5/1

Senegal striker Jackson wasted no time in getting off the mark in Morocco, opening the scoring in the 40th minute against Botswana on Tuesday and doubling his nation's lead 13 minutes into the second half.

The 24-year-old has now scored six times for Senegal since the start of September, taking his tally to seven goals in 26 caps. One goal in 18 appearances across 2022-2024 was a poor return, but six strikes in eight games this calendar year is some going, and he has two more opportunities to add to his account before the new year.

Jackson scored against DR Congo in September, so he should be confident of breaching their back line again on Saturday.

Betfred have boosted the Bayern Munich loanee to open the scoring to 5/1, which is a price that draws my attention.

Both Teams To Score - Yes @ 6/5

BTTS-Yes has been a winning selection in the last two meetings between Senegal and Congo DR.

The two nations met home and away in World Cup qualifying, playing out a 1-1 draw in Diamniadio, Senegal, in June 2024, before Thiaw's side came from two goals down to win 3-2 in Kinshasa, Congo DR, on September 9, 2025.

Senegal are stacked with potent forwards, so they're always good for a goal, and DR Congo are rarely stopped from scoring, too, netting in their last 13 games (excluding African Nations Championship finals and qualifiers).

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