France vs Senegal Predicted Lineups & Team News

We’ve got a belting World Cup clash coming our way on Tuesday night as France face Senegal at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey (1pm local, 8pm BST, BBC One). 

With a few big decisions to be made by both managers ahead of this opener, below you can find the France vs Senegal Predicted Lineups & Team News.

France

Didier Deschamps is taking charge of his final tournament with France, having been in the role for 14 years with the 2014 World Cup his first tournament. He’s reached one European Championship final and two World Cup finals, winning famously in 2018, but will look to make more history in North America.

It’s an embarrassment of riches from France, and his real dilemma is how on earth to fit all of this talent into one XI. Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise and Desire Doue could make up a mouthwatering front four, but there is plenty of work to be done behind them, likely by the double pivot of Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot, who may edge out N’Golo Kante. 

In defence, Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba will play at centre-back, and are likely to be flanked by Jules Kounde and Lucas Digne, although left-back is up for grabs. Mike Maignan is nailed on to start in goal. PSG’s Bradley Barcola is set to be an impact sub in attack. 

Senegal

Pape Thiaw played at the 2002 World Cup but is now in charge of the side that won AFCON on the pitch, before the title was taken away from them. His goalkeeper will be Edouard Mendy, formerly of Chelsea, and there’s a talented back four in front of him.

Lyon’s Moussa Niakhate looks a real talent and will partner the experienced Kalidou Koulibaly at the heart of the defence. Using a 4-3-3, the full-backs are likely to be Galatasaray’s Ismael Jakobs and Nice’s Antoine Mendy, who only has six caps to his name. 

The midfield three will be interesting, with Lamine Camara of Monaco set to be the holder with Idrissa Gueye still working his way back to fitness. Pape Matar Sarr and Villarreal’s Pape Gueye should join him in midfield, while the front three is truly special.

Sadio Mane will start on the left, Ismaila Sarr on the right, and Nicolas Jackson will be the number nine, as he is not suspended despite being sent off in a recent friendly. 

Remember you can bet on this match and check out all of the live France vs Senegal Odds over on betfred.com

France vs Senegal Key Players:

Kylian Mbappe (France)

Quelle surprise. Kylian Mbappe has 12 World Cup goals to his name and you would think he would be able to surpass Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 this summer. 

Despite a 42-goal season for Real Madrid, the Madridstas booed him onto the pitch on multiple occasions. Now back with France, I think he’s ready to save his best football for his country once more.

He scored a hat-trick in the World Cup final of 2022 and no player has scored more World Cup final goals than him, after his strike in 2018. He is going to have to be at his best, and if he is, he could be the deciding factor once more.

If he makes three finals out of three and becomes the World Cup’s highest-ever goalscorer - he will have legendary status. 

Ismaila Sarr (Senegal)

Mane and Jackson may be bigger names, but I do think Sarr will be the star of Senegal’s attack. The Crystal Palace man scored nine Premier League goals this term and was a pivotal part of that Conference League winning team.

I also think his direct running could cause serious problems for the opposition in North America, with his pace likely to lead to plenty of goalscoring opportunities - with a solid midfield behind him. 

For all of our coverage and betting markets for the festival of football this summer, please check out our World Cup Odds over on betfred.com