Erling Haaland scored twice in Norway’s 4-1 win over Iraq.
Senegal seeking first points after a 3-1 loss to France.
The much-anticipated Group I clash is set for June 22.
Norway sits atop Group I after manhandling Iraq during a 4-1 win in its first game, but if the team wants to push France all the way, it can’t afford to drop points against Senegal. After losing 3-1 to France, Senegal will be desperate for a result if it’s to stay in contention for automatic qualification.
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Norway came into the tournament as a trendy pick to make a deep run, and the first impression didn’t disappoint. Erling Haaland looked as sharp as ever, scoring two of Norway’s four goals. But it wasn’t just the Haaland show. Antonio Nusa looked a constant threat, Martin Odegaard pulled the strings as usual, and the defense was solid.
Senegal should be a far sterner test for Norway, though. A 3-1 loss to France doesn’t look good on paper, but Senegal held them in check for an entire half before succumbing to Kylian Mbappe magic. Still, Haaland is just as capable of taking over a game. Senegal will need to limit his chances, and that starts with pressuring Odegaard and not allowing the midfielders to run the game.
Norway’s defense hasn’t been a strong suit, with the team relying on outscoring opponents instead of keeping clean sheets. In fact, they have only done so once in the last eight games, so Senegal will have its chances. Ismaila Sarr, Nicolas Jackson, and Sadio Mane showed they can be a threat on the counterattack with their pace and chemistry.
Norway (+135)
Norway are seen as the favorites at BetMGM, one of the best World Cup betting sites, but not by a huge amount. They do play an aggressive style that leaves them vulnerable and can backfire. But we’re buying the hype coming off the 4-1 win over Iraq.
Haaland will simply be too much to handle for a Senegal defense that eventually breaks against quality opposition. Just before the World Cup, Senegal also gave up three goals to the USA. Norway won’t be as desperate as Senegal, which needs a result to avoid fighting it out for a third-place spot.
Over 2.5 Goals (-110)
Both Norway and Senegal’s opening matches easily hit the over, and we expect the attack-over-defense approach to continue. Norway is aggressive by nature, knowing it has a world-class striker that can punish teams with even the smallest of chances.
As we said, Senegal needs a result. Three points at the end of the group won’t guarantee a place in the knockout round, so Senegal can’t sit back. If Norway gets an early goal, we see this becoming an open contest with at least three combined goals.
Erling Haaland (+105)
Haaland scored twice against Iraq to begin his pursuit of the Golden Boot. The Man City star was a consistent threat, with two more shots on target and six in total. Norway knows it’ll go as far as Haaland will take them, and the team is built to continuously feed him chances.
Haaland was in top form this season at club level, with 38 goals in 52 games. Even when he’s priced as the clear anytime goalscorer favorite, you have to go with Haaland.
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