The Africa Cup of Nations Final is here and we have Senegal taking on Algeria for the title!
For Senegal this is their 2nd ever and first since 2002 Africa Cup of Nations Final and they are still searching for their first title of the competition as they look to avenge the 2002 loss to Cameroon.
For Algeria this is their 3rd ever and first since 1990 Africa Cup of Nations Final. They have won one of those Finals and will be hoping to win their second ever and first title since 1990 in the competition.
Senegal have made the Final mainly due to their fantastic performances defensively having kept 5 clean sheets in 6 games conceding just once. Senegal have overcome a group of Tanzania, Kenya and their Final opponents Algeria in the group stages by finishing 2nd and then beat Uganda, Benin and Tunisia in the knockouts. The only goal conceded and defeat in the competition did come against their upcoming opponents Algeria however.
Algeria have also been a fantastic team defensively, but their success has mainly come due to their fantastic attacking play as they have bagged 12 goals in 6 games (2 per game). Algeria have won every game, they overcame the same group as Senegal winning all 3 games and then went on to beat Guinea, Ivory Coast (on Pens) and Nigeria to reach the Final. Algeria’s road to the Final has arguably been tougher given who they faced.
Senegal have been a very under-ish team in terms of goals as 5 of their 6 games in the tournament resulted with an Under (83.3%)
Senegal have not been the feistiest team in the tournament averaging 1.33 bookings in the tournament so far (8 bookings in 6 games) and haven’t faced a Red Card yet.
Algeria have been more over-ish in the tournament than their opponents as 50% of their games have had an Over (1 Void 2 Under). 3 of their last 4 games have had an Over after starting with 2 Under games.
Algeria have been a little feistier team when it comes to bookings as they have a total of 10 bookings in the competition which is 1.67 per game.
Looking at H2H between these teams in recent memory Algeria have been able to get the edge over Senegal. Algeria have won 4 of their last 5 games against Senegal with the other game being a draw and they did beat Senegal in this competition already in the Group Stages with a 1-0 win. It hasn’t been the highest scoring fixture as the last 4 meetings had 3 games ending with under 2.5 goals.
Sadio Mane is of course the man to watch for Senegal. He is their talisman and best player going forward, easily their only world class player out of the attacking options. Mane has followed up his great season with a solid campaign having scored 3 goals and assisting 1 in this competition so far which is 4 goal contributions (50% of the teams total goals).
For Algeria, Riyad Mahrez is the obvious danger man. He is their best player of course, has had a great competition with 3 goals including scoring a free kick winner right at the death against Nigeria. He arguably is World Class and for a game like this he will have to show up for Algeria to win.
Senegal are very narrow favourites to win this match offered at 2.80 whereas Algeria to win is 2.90 with Draw offered at 2.95. The teams are dead even in terms of lifting the trophy odds wise with both teams offered at 1.90. It’s clear that the bookies rate these teams very evenly and we should anticipate a match decided by the narrowest of margins. Odds are based on Unibet.
Team News
Senegal: Senegal have a huge blow as Kalidou Koulibaly is suspended for racking up too many bookings.
Algeria: Everyone are available, no suspensions or injuries for the Algerians.
KICK OFF – 19th July 2019 – 8pm UK Time
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