Senegal vs Norway Tips, Odds & Prediction for World Cup 2026

* Odds from Betway, accurate at the time of writing.

Senegal take on Norway at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Tuesday, kicking off at 02:00 CAT. Senegal are under pressure after losing 3-1 to France and still have no points, while Norway lead Group I on goal difference thanks to a 4-1 win over Iraq that included two goals from Erling Haaland. You can find all our World Cup betting tips in our dedicated section.

Senegal

As I see it, Senegal cannot risk another defeat, so I think Pape Thiaw will pick an attacking team spearheaded by Sadio Mane and Nicolas Jackson, with Ismaila Sarr providing width. They made enough chances against France to show their forwards can trouble this Norway back line, even though their finishing was poor. My worry is the defence, as Kalidou Koulibaly and the full backs were caught out by fast breaks in the first game. Idrissa Gueye and Pape Gueye need to run midfield if Senegal want to set the pace and keep their hopes of qualifying alive.

Expected Lineup: Mendy; Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Diouf; I. Gueye, Camara, P. Gueye; I. Sarr, Jackson, Mane.

Norway

To me, Norway are the most settled team in the group, and Stale Solbakken has no new injury problems after beating Iraq. Haaland is in deadly form with two goals so far, supported by Alexander Sorloth and the speed of Antonio Nusa, while Martin Odegaard runs the show in midfield. A win would practically guarantee a knockout place for a country at its first World Cup since 1998, so I think they will go for it instead of protecting their goal difference. Norway hit 37 goals in a perfect eight-match qualifying run, and that attack could find holes in the Senegal defence.

Expected Lineup: Nyland; Ryerson, Heggem, Ajer, Wolfe; Odegaard, Berge, Aursnes; Nusa, Haaland, Sorloth.

I see an open match between two teams with good reason to go for goals: Senegal because they have to chase the result, and Norway because Haaland and Sorloth are always a threat. Senegal should get on the scoresheet, but I can't trust their defence to keep this Norway attack quiet. My forecast: Senegal 1 Norway 2.

BTTS: Yes (1.71)

I believe both teams will score, and 1.71 looks like the value bet. Senegal have genuine attacking quality in Mane, Jackson and Sarr and need goals to get their campaign back on track, while Norway have scored in every recent game and have an in form Haaland up front. With Senegal having to push on and leave space, I'm backing goals at both ends.