Republic of Ireland vs Senegal Preview
Ireland welcome Senegal to the Aviva Stadium on June 6th at 7:45 pm in the first of two summer friendlies. The hosts will enter buoyed by their aggregate triumph over Bulgaria in March. They will now look toward the World Cup Qualifiers.
Senegal has struggled away from home, drawing with Sudan and Liberia in their two most recent road games. Can Ireland claim a big scalp in victory, or will Senegal bounce back in Dublin?
Republic of Ireland vs Senegal Predictions
Score prediction: Ireland 1-0 Senegal
One of our top soccer predictions for this week is that Ireland will win this game. The Boys in Green are the underdogs at the Aviva Stadium, but they can make use of their home fans. Senegal has been underwhelming, struggling to find consistency under caretaker coach Pape Thiaw. They are second in Group B of the World Cup Qualifying qualifiers. Many expected them to dominate. Disappointing draws against Liberia, Sudan, and Burkina Faso since September have Senegalese fans worried that this ageing squad might be in need of a refresh.
Ireland has started to gel under Heimir Hallgrímsson, winning three of their previous four games under the Finn. The younger talent in the squad is showing glimpses of their quality, and this could be the perfect game to burst through the glass ceiling. Evan Ferguson and Troy Parrott are a great pair to choose from up front. Hallgrímsson played them next to each other in the home leg against Bulgaria. However, we may see Parrott spearhead a front four this time around.
Jason Knight has emerged as a real leader in midfield despite being just 24. Andrew Omobamidele is coming off an impressive loan spell in Ligue 1. Nathan Collins had a terrific season with Brentford. The likes of Matt Doherty, Robbie Brady, and one of the best Irish Soccer players of all time, Seamus Coleman, add vital experience to a group of promising young players. The energy from those young talents will be critical in this game, considering Senegal looks to have a problem with the inverse.
Senegal’s best players are ageing. Kalidou Koulibaly and Sadio Mane are 33, and Idrissa Gueye is 35. Mane, who facilitates much of their attacking play, will not play in this game. The Lions of Teranga are not without young talent. Monaco’s Lamine Camara and Europa League winner Pape Matar Sarr together form a strong midfield partnership. However, that kind of youthful energy is thin throughout the squad. Just four players in Ireland’s most recent team were aged over 26, compared to 14 for Senegal.
Tactically, Ireland can exploit Senegal’s vulnerabilities by pressing their midfield and disrupting their build-up play. Senegal’s reliance on wing play, especially in the absence of Mane, could be neutralised by Ireland’s disciplined defensive structure. Additionally, Ireland’s set-piece proficiency could prove decisive against a Senegalese defence that has shown susceptibility in such situations.
For Senegal to secure a win, they will need to rely on their midfield dominance and the experience of players like Kalidou Koulibaly in defence. Maintaining possession and controlling the game’s rhythm will be crucial. However, without their primary attacking threats, breaking down a well-organised Irish defence could prove challenging.
While Senegal enters the match with a higher ranking and a history of recent successes, Ireland’s home advantage, disciplined defence, and the absence of key Senegalese players tilt the balance in their favour. A focused and strategic performance can see Ireland claim their third straight victory.
Players To Watch
- Troy Parrott (Striker, Ireland): Troy Parrott enjoyed the best season of his career so far after joining AZ Alkmaar last summer. The 23-year-old finished the Eredivisie campaign with 14 goals in 28 league games. His natural finishing ability, clever movement, and intelligent link-up play make him one of Ireland’s best attacking threats. With Sadio Mané and Nicolas Jackson both out, this fixture could be decided by who takes their chances, and Parrott has the killer instinct to make the difference. His ability to stretch the back line, hold up play, and bring others into the attack will be crucial if Ireland is to break down a physical Senegalese side.
- Ismaïla Sarr (Winger, Crystal Palace): Ismaïla Sarr was a pivotal figure for Crystal Palace in their FA Cup-winning campaign this season. He has showcased his exceptional attacking prowess with 14 goals and assists in the league. Sarr’s ability to exploit spaces with his speed and his knack for cutting inside to create scoring opportunities make him a constant threat to opposing defences. That can disrupt Ireland’s defensive organisation, and he has the necessary ability to fill the Mane-shaped hole in attack.
Republic of Ireland vs Senegal Betting Tips
- Full-Time Result – Ireland to win: This is going to be a tight game, but Ireland can take the win with the home advantage. They have started to hit form under Hallgrímsson at a time when Senegal looks inconsistent. This would be a big win for the Boys in Green, and we are backing them to snatch a tight victory. A bet on Ireland is worth 21/10, and Senegal is worth 6/5.
- Over/Under – Under 2.5 goals: We predict a tight game here, with the quality of finishing likely to be the difference maker. Both defences will be compact, and we are expecting a low-scoring affair. Anyone betting on the over/under in this game should back under 2.5 goals, worth 4/5.
- Player to Score – Troy Parrott: Former Tottenham Hotspur man Troy Parrott has finally found his feet in the Netherlands and is now Ireland’s main man up front. He will be the focal point of their attack in this game and the man relied upon to break the deadlock. Anyone betting on soccer should back Parrott to score in this game.
- Double Chance – Ireland or Draw: If you are not confident that Ireland can overcome their underdog status but think they can get something out of this game, bet on a double chance. Senegal has drawn their previous two away games, and they were against weaker sides than Ireland. A double chance bet is worth 4/7 with our online betting site.
Republic of Ireland vs Senegal Head-To-Head and Key Stats
Ireland last played in March, facing Bulgaria in a two-legged playoff for the right to stay in the UEFA Nations League B. The Boys in Green secured their League B status with a hard-fought 2-1 comeback victory over Bulgaria at the Aviva Stadium, sealing a 4-2 aggregate win.
Despite dominating early proceedings, Ireland found themselves trailing after Bulgaria’s Valentin Antov capitalised on a loose ball from a corner to fire the visitors ahead on the half-hour mark. Ireland had already gone close through Evan Ferguson and Troy Parrott, with the latter hitting the post.
Ireland responded with increased intensity after the break. Ferguson finally got his reward in the 63rd minute. He latched onto Finn Azaz’s incisive pass and rifled into the roof of the net. The winner came five minutes from time as Ireland broke swiftly on the counter. Azaz released Sykes down the right, and his pinpoint cross found Adam Idah, who finished superbly at the back post. The result capped a dominant performance from Ireland, who created numerous chances and showed resilience in overturning the deficit.
Ireland will turn their attention to the World Cup Qualifiers after this round of friendlies. Hallgrímsson’s men have been handed a tough group with Portugal and Hungary alongside Armenia.
Senegal secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Togo on March 25th. They bolstered their campaign in the CAF Group B qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The breakthrough came in the 35th minute when Pape Matar Sarr fired a precise right-footed shot into the top of the net. Senegal doubled their advantage in the 67th minute, courtesy of an own goal by Togo defender Kévin Boma.
Senegal’s defence, anchored by Kalidou Koulibaly and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, effectively neutralised Togo’s attacking threats, maintaining a clean sheet. The win elevated Senegal to 12 points in Group B, just one point behind leaders DR Congo.
Senegal has been led under the guidance of Pape Thiaw in a caretaker role since Aliou Cisse’s exit in October last year, despite leading them to AFCON glory in 2023. They have been inconsistent since his departure. A win in this game could be vital for morale in the Senegal camp.
Republic of Ireland Team News
Ireland may tweak their starting lineup for this game, as the head coach continues experimenting with the defence. Omobamidele had an impressive season on loan in France last year, and we expect him to partner Nathan Collins at centre back. We could also see starts for young attackers Festy Ebosele and Kasey McAteer, with Hallgrímsson potentially switching to a 4-2-3-1 formation.
- Predicted lineup: Kelleher, Doherty, Omobamidele, Collins, Brady, Cullen, Knight, Ebosele, Azaz, McAteer, Parrott.
- Head Coach: Heimir Hallgrímsson.
Senegal Predicted Team News
Senegal will probably maintain their 4-3-3 shape for this game. Sadio Mane is absent for this international break. Assane Diao will probably take his place in just his third appearance since switching his international allegiance in March.
- Predicted Lineup: Mendy, Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Camara, P.M Sarr, Gueuye, L. Camara, Sarr, Dia, Diao.
- Head Coach: Pape Thiaw.
