Senegal and Burundi will go head-to-head in their final game of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at Stade Me Abdoulaye Wade on Tuesday.
The clash will have no bearing on the qualification status of either team, as the hosts have already secured their spot at the tournament, while the visitors are now mathematically unable to qualify.
Match preview
Having already secured a place at the 2025 AFCON in the last international window after their win over Malawi, Senegal had only pride and the top spot to play for when they took to the pitch last Thursday against Burkina Faso, who had also booked their spot.
Both teams were tied on 10 points heading into the game, with the Lions of Teranga in second place due to an inferior goal difference – but by the end of 90 minutes, Pape Thiaw's men had moved to the top of the group after a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso, thanks to Mouhamadou Diarra's 83rd-minute goal.
Ensuring they hold onto this spot will be the aim when they take on Burundi at home on Tuesday, and they head into the game knowing that a draw would be enough to achieve that.
Thiaw is expected to give fringe players an opportunity in this clash, but he is expected to field a team strong enough to ensure that the Lions of Teranga maintain their 100% record over Tuesday's opposition, having won all three previous encounters.
In addition, Senegal will be looking to keep their admirable record of not losing a game after 90 minutes since September 2023 when they lost 1-0 to Algeria in an international friendly, a run that has been on for the last 17 matches and one in which the last four have been victories.
Burundi kicked off their AFCON qualifying campaign with a 3-2 victory over Malawi on September 5, but things have since turned sour with no victory for Les Hirondelles in the four matches that followed.
A 1-0 defeat to Senegal was followed by consecutive defeats against Burkina Faso in October's double-header, ultimately ending any hopes of a second AFCON appearance at next year's edition.
Patrick Sangwa's men eventually ended their three-match losing streak with a goalless draw against Malawi last Thursday, but their winless run stretched to four matches.
Ironically, Burundi's only win in this AFCON qualifying campaign came on the road, but securing a positive result away at Senegal will be a huge task for the East Africans who lost 3-1 in their only visit there in 2015.
Team News
Former Liverpool winger Sadio Mane has scored three goals for Senegal in this competition, and he is expected to get another opportunity to add to his tally, even though a second-string side is mostly expected.
Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson could also start, getting another chance to add to the one goal he has scored so far, with Everton's Iliman Ndiaye and Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr also in contention to retain their spots in attack.
Nice defender Youssouf Ndayishimiye played in midfield in Burundi's draw with Malawi, and he is expected to continue in this role on Tuesday.
Pacifique Niyongabire led the line last time out, but he could be dropped from the starting XI for Hussein Shabani.
Senegal possible starting lineup:
E. Mendy; F. Mendy, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Jakobs; P. Sarr, Gueye, Camara; I. Sarr, Ndiaye, Mane; Jackson
Burundi possible starting lineup:
Nahimana; Kanamakani, Moussa, Nsabiyumva, Nduwarugira, Liongola; Muderi, Ndayishimiye, Moussa, Girumugisha; Shabani
We say: Senegal 2-0 Burundi
Even if Senegal decides not to field their strongest XI on Tuesday, we believe that they have enough depth of quality to cruise to victory against a side lacking in quality such as Burundi, which is why we are predicting a win for the hosts.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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