World Cup 2018: Poland vs Senegal prediction, odds, and preview as Robert Lewandowski bids to sink surprise 2002 quarter-finalists
SunSport runs rule over experienced side who could be dark horses and outsiders who look to Sadio Mane for goals
SENEGAL are playing in their first World Cup since they stunned champions France and reached the quarter-finals in 2002.
Aliou Cisse captained that famous side and is now the coach - though many fans have blasted him for playing boring football.
Poland have arguably the best striker in the world in Robert Lewandowski - who broke the 40-goal barrier for Bayern this season for the third term in a row - and could be dark horses for the tournament.
THE NATION EXPECTS: Midfielder Alfred N’Diaye revealed to SunSport just how much pressure the country puts on their team - even though they have not qualified for a World Cup in 16 years before this summer.
Poland have the best squad since the 1980s and the signs were encouraging in qualifying. But their supporters are realists and see the quarter-finals as an achievable target.
KEY BATTLES/STAR MEN: It is impossible to look beyond goal machine Lewandowksi, who averaged a goal every 56 minutes in qualifying, as Poland’s main threat.
But in Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly - coveted by the Premier League’s top sides - Senegal have a world-class defender to try to keep the Bayern superstar quiet.
WEAKEST LINKS: Influential centre-back Kamil Glik is likely to miss the game with a shoulder injury for Poland - so Liverpool speedster Sadio Mane will look to capitalise.
Senegal have a solid side in defence, midfield and out wide - but goalkeeper and centre-forward may be problem positions.
LIKELY LINE-UPS AND TEAM TALK: Poland boss Adam Nawalka did try out a new 3-4-3 formation recently but is likely to revert back to 4-2-3-1, meaning Napoli forward Arkadiusz Milik will probably start on the bench.
Probable Poland team: Wojciech Szczesny; Lukasz Piszcek, Thiago Cionek, Michal Pazdan, Maciej Rybus; Grzegorz Krychowiak, Jacek Goralski; Jakub Blaszczykowski, Piotr Zielinski, Kamil Grosicki; Robert Lewandowski.
Predicting Senegal’s side is nigh-on impossible as Cisse has never picked the same starting line-up in his three years in the job. Whatever side he chooses, he will no doubt be calling on the spirit of 2002 to inspire his current crop.
Probable Senegal team: Abdoulaye Diallo; Lamine Gassama, Kalidou Koulibaly, Salif Sane, Youssouf Sabaly; Cheikhou Kouyate, Idrissa Gueye; Ismaila Sarr, M’Baye Niang, Sadio Mane; Diafra Sakho.
Best bet: Poland had the worst defensive record of any group winners in qualifying so you’d fancy Senegal to score.
Mane is and is used to making a quick impact with Jurgen Klopp’s full-throttle football.
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PREM TSAR IN THE MAKING: Attacking midfielder Piotr Zielinski has provided the creative threat Poland have been lacking in recent years.
Maurizio Sarri, his boss last season at Napoli and expected to take over at Chelsea, has called the 24-year-old “the next Kevin De Bruyne”.
THE STAT THAT MATTERS: 16 - the staggering number of goals Lewandowski blasted in qualifying for Poland, which was more than any other player in world football.
The one-time Blackburn target is in sensational form and will be gunning for the golden boot.
