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Norway v Senegal predictions: Haaland's fast start to continue

Published:
Enda McElhinneyEnda McElhinney
Erling Haaland was in the right place at the right time to score Norway's first World Cup goal in 28 years
Erling Haaland was in the right place at the right time to score Norway's first World Cup goal in 28 years
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Norway have the chance to book a place in the knockout stages of the World Cup for only the second time in 88 years as they face Senegal in New Jersey.

The Vikings last appeared on this stage at France '98, where they made the last-16 and their opening victory over Iraq was a perfect start for Stale Solbakken's side.

Victory over Senegal in the early hours of Tuesday morning, allied to a French win against Iraq a few hours earlier, will ensure Erling Haaland and his team-mates are through to the next stage with a game to spare.

Senegal were able to contain France for more than an hour before being taken down by Les Bleus and they face another stern test here.

The latest Norway v Senegal odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Team news

Senegal made five changes late on in their defeat against France and it was one of those replacements, Ibrahim Mbaye, who briefly reduced their arrears at 2-1.

The Paris Saint-Germain teenager could be included from the start now. Nicolas Jackson struggled to have an impact on that game but may lead the line again, with manager Pape Thiaw seemingly not faced with any injury worries in his 26-man squad.

Norway also emerged from their opening game without any problems.

Defender Leo Ostigard scored after coming off the bench, with Fulham's Oscar Bobb, Benfica forward Andreas Schjelderup and Kristian Thorstvedt of Sassuolo also enjoying decent cameos.

Solbakken may well stick with the same starting side for this MetLife Stadium showdown with Senegal.

The stats

Both teams have scored in seven of Norway's last eight games and in three of Senegal's previous four.

Norway scored 37 goals in eight qualifying games, averaging 4.62 goals per game, while Erling Haaland has 57 goals in 51 appearances for Norway after his double against Iraq.

The only previous meeting of these two teams was a 2006 friendly in France, won 2-1 by Senegal.

Senegal have lost just three of eight World Cup matches against European opposition (W3, D2), though all three defeats have come in the last three encounters.

Skipper Sadio Mane has scored 55 goals in 129 appearances for the Lions of Teranga.

The latest Norway v Senegal odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Prediction

The World Cup stage was made for Haaland and the Manchester City star duly fired a double on his tournament debut.

Only a late block from Jalal Hassan denied the forward scoring the 55th hat-trick in tournament history – an honour that went instead to Lionel Messi a few hours later.

The opening round of games has witnessed star names such as Haaland, Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane all delivering on their potential.

Haaland's opener was pure simplicity as he slid in to finish a perfect cross from the overlapping David Moller Wolfe.

His second goal showed his willingness to work for opportunities, seizing on a weak pass back and getting his rewards with a deflected finish.

He will be the spearhead of the Norwegian attack once more and it would not come as a shock if he breaks the deadlock again in what promises to be an end-to-end contest between two attacking teams.

Score prediction: Norway 3-1 Senegal

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Norway v Senegal predictions: Haaland's fast start to continue