Senegal v Iraq: Struggling sides target first points in group showdown

Senegal face Iraq on 26 June at 19:00 (GMT) in a group-stage clash that both sides approach under pressure after poor recent form and back-to-back defeats.

Senegal arrive with two straight losses in their last five matches, reflected in a run of LL that has left them near the bottom of the group and with little margin for error. Iraq mirror that sequence with LL of their own, creating a meeting of two teams in need of a reset and a first positive result in this phase of the competition.

The key statistics of the players of both teams this season:

• Assists: Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal) — 1 assists, Amir Al-Ammari (Iraq) — 1 assists.
• Goalkeepers saves: Edouard Mendy (Senegal) — 5, Jalal Hassan (Iraq) — 2
• Tackles: None (Senegal) — None, None (Iraq) — None.
• Most encounters won: Krépin Diatta (Senegal) — 9, Merchas Doski (Iraq) — 11.
• Yellow cards: None (Senegal) — None, None (Iraq) — None.
• Red cards: None (Senegal) — None, None (Iraq) — None.

Top 5 scorers this season:

1. L. Messi (5, Argentina)
2. Kylian Mbappé (4, France)
3. E. Haaland (4, Norway)
4. D. Undav (3, Germany)
5. J. David (3, Canada)

Team statistics:

The league-style group table places both nations in the lower positions after consecutive defeats, with goal difference already a factor. Senegal have yet to turn possession into sufficient goals, while Iraq’s defensive record has undermined their attempts to climb the standings. Both are already looking up at the early pacesetters and know another defeat would leave qualification hopes in serious doubt.

The five previous matches played by the teams:

• Senegal — LL
• Iraq — LL

Senegal’s home numbers underline their difficulties. They are still seeking a first home win of the campaign, with a record of 0 wins, 0 draws and 2 defeats in front of their own supporters. The biggest defeat at home so far is 1-4, a result that exposed defensive frailties and left questions over their ability to manage games when they fall behind.

According to home statistics this season, Senegal scores more goals and concedes more in the following intervals:

Intervals	Goal Scored, %	Goals conceded, %
0-15	33.33%	16.67%
16-30	33.33%	33.33%
31-45	33.33%	16.67%
46-60		33.33%
61-75
76-90
91-105

Iraq has the following time frames of scoring and conceding goals:

Intervals	Goal Scored, %	Goals conceded, %
0-15	50.00%	16.67%
16-30	50.00%	16.67%
31-45		16.67%
46-60		16.67%
61-75		16.67%
76-90		16.67%
91-105

Head-to-head stats:

Teams	Games	Win		Draws		Losses
		H	A	H	A	H	A
Senegal	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Iraq		0	0	0	0	0	0

Probabilities before the match:

Senegal		Iraq
64.5%	Winning the game	64.5%
75%	Attack potential	75%
54%	Potential in defense	54%
0%	Strength against each other	0%
0%	Goal Potential	0%

Summary: the probability of Iraq winning – 10%, draw – 45%, loss – 45%. Thus Senegal, most likely, win (win or draw)

Goal Forecast:Senegal, is likely to score -2.5 goals, Iraq is likely to score no more than -1.5.

The bookmaker odds for this match:

Home win	Draw	Away win
10Bet 1.28	SBO 6.8	1xBet 14.0

Save the date

The match between the teams Senegal and Iraq will take place on June 26 at 19:00 (GMT) at the stadium BMO Field.