Preview: Senegal vs. Guinea - prediction, team news, lineups

Aiming to make it six points from six in the Africa Cup of Nations, Senegal and Guinea go head to head at the Kouekong Stadium on Thursday.

Senegal kicked off their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Zimbabwe, while Guinea got the better of Malawi in their curtain-raiser.

Match preview

© Reuters

Senegal were far from convincing in their AFCON opener on Sunday and needed a last-gasp penalty from talisman Sadio Mane to see off their southern African counterparts.

One of the favourites to lift the trophy in Cameroon this year, Aliou Cisse's men will be looking to put on a more dominant performance in their second fixture with sole leadership of Group B on the line.

The Lions of Teranga have an impressive record against Thursday's opponents having won eight of the previous 12 meetings between the teams.

However, they did lose the most recent encounter back in 2019, when Guinea claimed a penalty-shootout victory in the qualifiers for the African Nations Championship.

Like Senegal, Guinea also had to dig deep to secure a narrow 1-0 triumph in their opening fixture on Sunday in Bassoufam.

Kaba Diawara's men took the lead 10 minutes before the interval through Issiaga Sylla and held on firm to claim a hard-fought three points.

The National Elephants now have an opportunity to progress into the last 16 for the second consecutive tournament and will be keen to wrap things up ahead of their final group-stage outing.

Despite having recorded back to back clean sheets, the West Africans will need to be at their best defensively against a very rampant opposition in attack.

Team News

Skipper Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy and Famara Diedhiou are once again expected to not play any part after they all returned positive COVID-19 tests few days to the Zimbabwe game.

Mane's game-winning penalty was his 27th strike for Senegal, and the Liverpool winger now sits two goals away from equalling Henri Camara's record.

Saidou Sow and Ibrahima Conte picked up minor injuries in the win over Malawi but should both be fine to feature right from the off on Thursday.

Issiaga Sylla has now racked up 64 caps for Guinea - the most of any active player - and the 28-year-old is showing no signs of slowing down.

Senegal possible starting lineup:
Dieng; Ballo-Toure, Cisse, Diallo, Mbaye; Kouyate, Gueye Sarr; Mane, Dia, Balde

Guinea possible starting lineup:
Keita; Sylla, Conte, Sow, Camara, Kane; Cisse, Keita, Diawara; Bayo, Kante

We say: Senegal 2-1 Guinea

Senegal cannot afford another lacklustre performance and will be wary of the threat posed by their opponents. We fancy them to emerge victorious by the odd goal in what should be a thrilling affair.

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