The first AFCON 2025 quarter-final pits Mali and Senegal against each other in an intriguing battle.
Senegal, who won the tournament for the very first time back in 2021, are hot favourites ahead of kick-off, but Mali have displayed remarkable durability throughout this campaign.
It should be a fascinating contest on Friday evening at the Grand Stade de Tangier, and here is our full sports betting online preview.
And we have also provided some tips for Mali vs Senegal, based on the latest offering of football betting odds.
Mali vs Senegal Preview
After a comfortable group campaign which saw them beat Botswana and Benin, each by a 3-0 scoreline, Senegal cruised into the quarter-finals with a 3-1 win over Sudan.
Pape Gueye scored twice for the Lions of Teranga, who will certainly be eyeing a second AFCON crown.
And with a plethora of high-quality players in the squad like Sadio Mane, Ismaila Sarr, Nicolas Jackson and Idrissa Gana Gueye, only a fool would rule them out of contention.
As for Mali, things have been decidedly more difficult at this AFCON. In fact, they are yet to win a game in 90 minutes, but are still part of the quarter-final lineup.
Mali drew all three of their group games, one of them an impressive 1-1 against host nation Morocco, who remain the favourites for glory.
A 0-0 stalemate with Comoros secured a spot in the last 16, where Mali played out a thrilling match against Tunisia, which finished 1-1 after extra-time.
And it was Mali who reigned supreme in the penalty shootout, winning 3-2 after El Bilal Toure converted the fifth spot kick.
So Morocco and Tunisia, two of the continent’s big hitters, have failed to get the better of Mali. Will Senegal be their latest victim?
This is the first meeting between the nations since 2019, a match which Senegal won 2-0.
Mali vs Senegal Odds
*All odds are subject to change
Of course, Mali are still the significant underdogs here, priced at 6.30 to claim the win. A victory for Senegal is at odds of 1.58, while the draw after 90 minutes is 3.58.
Mali vs Senegal Betting Tips
Total goals – Under 2.5 @ 1.59
All four of Mali’s games at this edition of AFCON have featured under 2.5 goals. So while Senegal boast one of the most formidable attacking departments at the tournament, we cannot see this being a high-scoring match.
Anytime goalscorer – Nicolas Jackson @ 2.63
But while we are predicting a game featuring less than three goals, backing Jackson to be one of the scorers still feels like a sensible betting move to make. The Bayern Munich striker scored twice in the group stage, and seems to thrive when playing alongside Mane and Sarr in a front three.
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