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WORLD CUP 2026 · Wednesday, 1 July 2026 at 21:00 BST
Belgium
3 – 2
Senegal

Match preview

Belgium are clear favourites on ratings, with the model at 64%. Only a poor recent run (four-from-five) gives Senegal a way in.

64%
Belgium
16%
Draw
20%
Senegal
Model fair odds
Belgium
1.56
Draw
6.25
Senegal
5.00

Decimal fair odds from the model probabilities before bookmaker margin.

Belgium
64%
Draw
16%
Senegal
20%
Elo rating: 1976 vs 1801 (+175)
Recent form: WWDDW vs LWLLD
Host advantage: Neutral venue
Model verdict: 64% / 16% / 20%
Most likely scores
Belgium 1–0 (15%)
Belgium 2–0 (15%)
Belgium 3–0 (10%)
Draw 1–1 (9%)
Why Belgium are favourites (64%)
  • Belgium carry the higher Elo rating (+175 points)
  • Neutral venue — no home advantage applied
  • Belgium unbeaten and winning in their last five (3W 2D)
  • Senegal mixed recent form (1W 1D 3L)
  • Head-to-head treated as neutral — too few recent meetings to weigh (10% of the blend)

These factors combine to produce the 64% / 16% / 20% verdict above.

Expected match pattern

Belgium are expected to control possession and territory, while Senegal will likely rely on defensive organisation and counter-attacks — a setup their recent results suggest they may struggle to sustain. An early Belgium goal would force Senegal to open up, raising the chance of a multi-goal result; the longer it stays level, the more pressure shifts onto the favourites.

Expected goals: Belgium 2 · Senegal 0.6

Quick stats

MetricBelgiumSenegal
Elo rating19761801
Last 5 record3W 2D1W 1D 3L
Goals last 51410
Goals conceded last 549
Clean sheets last 522

Belgium — last 5

  • Wv Senegal32
  • W@ New Zealand51
  • Dv Iran00
  • Dv Egypt11
  • Wv Tunisia50

Senegal — last 5

  • L@ Belgium23
  • Wv Iraq50
  • L@ Norway23
  • L@ France13
  • D@ Saudi Arabia00

Head to head

01 Jul 2026
Belgium
02
Senegal

Confirmed lineups

Belgium · 4-2-3-1
  1. 1Thibaut Courtois G
  2. 21Timothy Castagne D
  3. 4Brandon Mechele D
  4. 3Arthur Theate D
  5. 5Maxim De Cuyper D
  6. 8Youri Tielemans M
  7. 20Hans Vanaken M
  8. 10Leandro Trossard M
  9. 7Kevin De Bruyne M
  10. 11Jérémy Doku M
  11. 17Charles De Ketelaere F
Senegal · 4-3-3
  1. 23Mory Diaw G
  2. 15Krépin Diatta D
  3. 6Pathé Ismaël Ciss D
  4. 19Moussa Niakhaté D
  5. 14Ismail Jakobs D
  6. 21Habib Diarra M
  7. 5Idrissa Gana Gueye M
  8. 26Pape Gueye M
  9. 13Iliman Ndiaye F
  10. 18Ismaïla Sarr F
  11. 10Sadio Mané F

Key matchups

Charles De Ketelaere vs Pathé Ismaël Ciss

Belgium's focal point in attack against the heart of Senegal's defence.

Leandro Trossard vs Idrissa Gana Gueye

The central-midfield battle most likely to decide who controls possession and territory.

Iliman Ndiaye vs Brandon Mechele

Senegal's main outlet — how Belgium's central defence handles him shapes the counter-attack threat.

Predictions are model output, not betting advice. The model blends an Elo rating, last-5 form and host advantage; ratings update after every tournament result, and fair odds and likely scorelines are derived from the same blend. Bet responsibly — 18+. See PuntHub for verified tipster services.