Norway
World CupWhy this tip?
Norway start as slight favourites due to sharper attacking cohesion and form, but Senegal’s pace and physicality make them dangerous throughout. Expect a tight match, with Norway edging it if they dominate possession early. I am predicting a 2-1 victory for Norway.
Match Preview
Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026
Matchday: Matchday 1
Date: 23 June 2026
Kick-off time: 02:00 ( SA Time)
Venue: MetLife Stadium,East Rutherford, New Jersey
Match Details
Norway will be looking to build on their excellent 4-1 win over Iraq in the opening match when they take on the winless Senegal. The Africans went toe-to-toe with the French before a few moments of magic from Mbappe and Barcola settled the match. They will be facing another world class striker in Erling Haaland who grabbed a brace in his side’s win. Norway will be wary of the Senegalese especially on the counter attack where they have plenty of pace. This should be an entertaining game as both sides have proven match winners.
Why This Match Matters
Norway sits at the top of Group I standings before this match kicks off after a sterling 4-1 win over Iraq on day one. France beat Senegal 3-1 and are joint-top on points, but Norway is ranked higher thanks to their superior goal difference. The Africans are third on the log without a point but with a minus 2 goal difference. They desperately need a win if they are to qualify for the knockouts with a top two finish. Norway have the luxury of having the three points with a defeat not the end of the world as they will have another shot albeit against the mighty French team.
Norway vs Senegal Head-to-Head Stats
This is just the second ever meeting between the sides. The previous meeting was won by Senegal 2-1.
Previous Meetings
The only previous occasion these sides met was in 2006 in a Friendly international with Senegal taking the spoils 2-1.
Norway’s Recent Form
Norway’s last five matches: WDWDL
Recent results include:
17/06/2026 (World Cup): Iraq 1 – 4 Norway
07/06/2026 (Friendly): Morocco 1 – 1 Norway
01/06/2026 (Friendly): Norway 3 – 1 Sweden
31/03/2026 (Friendly): Norway 0 – 0 Switzerland
27/03/2026 (Friendly): Netherlands 2 – 1 Norway
Recent form: Norway have been in sensational form coming into the World Cup with just one defeat in their last 17 matches. They underlined this great form with an excellent 4-1 thrashing of Iraq in the opening match. Norway have only failed to find the back of the net once in that 17 games.
Senegal’s Recent Form
Senegal’s last five matches: WWLDL
Recent results include:
16/06/2026 (World Cup): France 3 – 1 Senegal
10/06/2026 (Friendly): Saudi Arabia 0 – 0 Senegal
31/05/2026 (Friendly): USA 3 – 2 Senegal
31/03/2026 (Friendly): Senegal 3 – 1 Gambia
28/03/2026 (Friendly): Senegal 2 – 0 Peru
Recent form: Senegal were the form African team coming into the tournament after their exceptional performances at AFCON earlier this year. They have however been in decline since arriving in North America as they failed to win their two friendlies and then slumped to defeat against France in the opening round.
Team News
Norway Team News
Norway head coach Ståle Solbakken has not confirmed his starting XI but there are unlikely to be any changes after his side’s empathic win.
Injuries: There are no injury concerns for Norway ahead of this match.
Suspensions: No suspensions
Key players to watch: The chances of Norway will mainly depend on their star player Erling Haaland, who got a brace in the first match against Iraq. Captain Martin Ødegaard will again be tasked with controlling the midfield and will be dictating the playmaking in the game. Alexander Sørloth in the centre-forward position will provide a good target in the air as well as a second scoring option. There could be goal scoring opportunities for him as the opposition defence will be focusing on Haaland. Defensively, Kristoffer Ajer and Julian Ryerson will need to be alert to threats posed from the pacy Senegal forwards.
Senegal Team News
Senegal are likely to stick with their trusted 4-3-3 system. As this is a must win game for the Lions of Teranga, teenage goal scorer Ibrahim Mbaye could come into the starting lineup as they go in search of goals.
Injuries: No injury concerns
Suspensions: No suspensions
Key players to watch: The man tasked with the most difficult defensive job in football will be Captain Kalidou Koulibaly as he seeks to keep out Erling Haaland. His leadership and aerial dominance will be key to his side’s success. Sadio Mané remains the main attacking outlet despite his advancing years. Nicolas Jackson adds pace and sharp movement in the final third, while Idrissa Gana Gueye provides midfield control and defensive discipline. Ibrahim Mbaye will need to run at the defence which could open up shooting chances for him.
Predicted Lineups
Norway Predicted XI
1 Ørjan Nyland (GK), 2 Julian Ryerson, 3 Kristoffer Ajer, 4 Torbjørn Heggem, 5 David Møller Wolfe, 6 Sander Berge, 7 Fredrik Aursnes, 8 Martin Ødegaard (C), 9 Antonio Nusa, 10 Alexander Sørloth, 11 Erling Haaland.
Senegal Predicted XI
1 Edouard Mendy (GK), 2 Krépin Diatta, 3 Kalidou Koulibaly (C), 4 Moussa Niakhaté, 5 Mikayil Diouf, 6 Idrissa Gana Gueye, 7 Pape Gueye, 8 Lamine Camara, 9 Ibrahim Mbaye, 10 Sadio Mané, 11 Nicolas Jackson.
Best Betting Markets for Norway vs Senegal
Match Winner
Prediction: Norway to win @ (2.35) at Hollywoodbets
Over/Under Goals
Prediction: Over 2.5 Goals @(1.91) at WSB
Both Teams to Score
Prediction: Both Teams to Score- Yes @ (1.73) at Betway
Anytime Goalscorer
Prediction: Erling Haaland to score anytime @ (1.91) at Easybet
Norway vs Senegal Prediction
Best Bet
Prediction: Norway or draw and over 2.5 goals @(3.00) at Hollywoodbets
Correct Score Prediction
Prediction: Norway 2-1 Senegal @ (11.0) at Easybet
Norway will be full of confidence after a dominant 4-1 win over Iraq with Erling Haaland already finding rhythm as the focal point of the attack. Martin Ødegaard’s creativity and control between the lines give Norway a clear tactical identity. Their biggest strength is simple, when they get service into the final third, they are clinical.
Senegal on the other hand need to be more ruthless with their striker Nicolas Jackson missing a few chances against France. Despite losing 3-1 to France in their opener, they showed enough counter-attacking threat to suggest they can trouble any defence. With Sadio Mané operating between the lines, there should be plenty of opportunities for them especially on transition.
Norway start as slight favourites due to sharper attacking cohesion and form, but Senegal’s pace and physicality make them dangerous throughout. Expect a tight match, with Norway edging it if they dominate possession early. I am predicting a 2-1 victory for Norway.
Prediction: Norway 2 – 1 Senegal
Writer / Betting tipster
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