Senegal vs Egypt predictions and betting tips – Repeat of 2021 final

Senegal beat Egypt in the final of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, held in 2022. Four years on and the two teams will meet again, this time in the last four of the latest edition of the continental competition.

Will Senegal secure a place in the showpiece event, or will Egypt get the job done in Tangier? 

Senegal vs Egypt quick tips

• Senegal to win – 11/10 with BetMGM
• Draw at half-time – 10/11 with Bet Victor
• Sadio Mane to score any time – 13/5 with SBK

All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

Senegal vs Egypt predictions

It was billed, in England at least, as a head-to-head clash between Liverpool team-mates Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.

Those two players led their respective nations to the final of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, staged in Cameroon in 2022, when both men were desperate to win their first ever international tournament.

In the end, it was Mane and Senegal who won out. A 0-0 draw after 120 minutes was followed by a penalty shoot-out. Mane converted the decisive penalty before Salah even had the chance to take his team’s fifth effort.

Four years on and both players are again striving to be crowned an African champion, although it is fair to say Mane and Salah are now past their peak.

They remain the leaders and figureheads of their national teams, though, and they will be the players the television cameras linger on ahead of kick-off on Wednesday.

Senegal topped their group at this Cup of Nations after beating Botswana 3-0, drawing 1-1 with DR Congo, and defeating Benin 3-0.

They fell behind to Sudan in a shock moment in the round of 16, before steadying themselves to come back and win 3-1. 

Senegal proceeded to beat Mali 1-0 in the quarters, but it was tenser than it should have been given their opponents were reduced to 10 men on the stroke of half-time.

Egypt also collected seven points in the group phase. A last-gasp goal was needed to see off Zimbabwe in a 2-1 victory, before Egypt beat 10-man South Africa 1-0. With top spot already secured, a weakened team drew 0-0 with Angola on matchday three.

Egypt needed extra time to beat Benin 3-1 in the round of 16, but they were more convincing last time out. Hossam Hassan’s side had relatively little of the ball against Ivory Coast, yet they were more efficient in the final third and duly won 3-2.

Egypt are routinely happy to give up the ball. Indeed, they usually look more comfortable when able to play a reactive brand of football, as opposed to occasions like the Benin game when they are forced to make the running.

Senegal will therefore dominate possession on Wednesday, with Egypt set to play on the break. This tie may ultimately come down to who is more clinical in and around the penalty area.

Senegal vs Egypt betting tips

Senegal and Egypt will compete for a place in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday.

Senegal to edge it

Neither team has set the Africa Cup of Nations alight yet, but it is important to pace yourself at international tournaments and Senegal and Egypt will argue that is what they are doing.

Pape Thiaw, the Senegal manager who previously worked under the long-serving Aliou Cisse, has yet to land on a settled starting XI.

Nicolas Jackson has not even got off the bench in two of Senegal’s last three games, while there are persistent question marks over the balance in midfield.

The Lions of Teranga have a knack for finding a way to win, however, and that could make the difference against Egypt.

Senegal also look tighter at the back and that is likely to be a key factor here.

Tip Senegal to win at 11/10 with BetMGM

Even opening period

Egypt may have been involved in a five-goal thriller in the quarter-finals, but this game looks set to contain far fewer goals.

The stakes could not be higher with a place in the final up for grabs, so we will probably see some risk-averse football from both teams.

The pattern of this match is easy to predict, with Egypt ready to sit deep and get men behind the ball while Senegal have possession without taking too many chances with it.

A cagey opening 45 minutes is on the cards between two teams who will be fearful of falling at the penultimate hurdle.

Go for a draw at half-time at 10/11 with Bet Victor

Mane can make difference

At the age of 33 Mane’s best years are behind him, yet he remains one of the first names on the Senegal team sheet.

While none of Iliman Ndiaye, Ismaila Sarr or Nicolas Jackson are guaranteed to start on Wednesday, Mane is a certain pick in Thiaw’s front three.

The former Liverpool forward has found the net only once so far, but at the semi-final stage of a major tournament he is the sort of player who will stand up to be counted.

Mane’s record over the years speaks for itself, and Senegal’s all-time record goalscorer can find the net for his country for the 53rd time in this one.

Back Sadio Mane to score any time at 13/5 with SBK

Senegal vs Egypt predicted lineups

• Senegal expected lineup: Mendy; Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Diouf; Diarra, I. Gueye, P. Gueye; Ndiaye, Jackson, Mane.
• Egypt expected lineup: El Shenawy; Hany, Ibrahim, Rabia, Fatouh; Attia, Fathi, Adel; Salah, Marmoush, Trezeguet.

Where to watch Senegal vs Egypt

• Location: Tangier Grand Stadium, Tangier, Morocco.
• Date and time: Wednesday 14th February, 5pm.
• How to watch: E4.

More Africa Cup of Nations predictions

We have plenty more Africa Cup of Nations predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

More EFL Cup predictions

We have plenty more EFL Cup predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• GambleAware – www.gambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.