AFCON 2025: Senegal vs DR Congo preview, prediction, team news, and head-to-head

Both teams are in excellent shape in this competition, having won their opening matches, and a win in this fixture will see either of them through to the next round without waiting for the last game of the group stage.

Senegal sealed a very comfortable 3-0 win against Botswana to start their AFCON 2025 campaign on a good note and top the group D table. With this scoreline,  the West African team have now conceded zero  goals in 4 of their last 5 matches.​

The team under Pape Thiaw have been more consistent and shows that they have what it takes to compete at the big stage. As FIFA’s highest-ranked African nation, the Lions of Teranga are one of the tournament's favourites.

Meanwhile, DR Congo are currently second in group D, after defeating Benin Republic with a lone goal. As one of the tournament's dark horses, the Leopards had shown they can do whatever it takes to get the results they want.

It's usually difficult to break through Sebastien Desabre's men due to their physical strength and high-pressing ability. This same attribute helped them go through to the World Cup playoffs at the expense of the Super Eagles.

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Senegal have been unbeaten against DR Congo in their last 8 meetings across all competitions (L1). Their only loss came in 1968, showing that the West African team have dominated this tie in recent years.

Their most recent meeting was in a World Cup Qualification match that ended 3-2 in favour of the Senegalese national football team.

Senegal's attack is one of the most potent in this tournament, with Sadio Mane, Nicholas Jackson, and Ismaila Sarr leading the pack. The absence of talented winger Assane Diao was not missed in the match against Botswana.

Since there are no fresh injury concerns for Pape Thiaw, the manager will likely stick to the same formation he used in the previous match, especially since it delivered the required result.

The case is the same for DR Congo, as they are also without any new injury worries. Sebastien Desabre will once more need the experience of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Cedric Bakambu to play a Senegal side with high quality players.

​Senegal (4-3-3): Mendy; Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Jakobs; Camara, P. Sarr, I. Gueye; I. Sarr, Jackson, Mane.

DR Congo (4-3-3): Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Masuaku; Moutoussamy, Mukau, Sadiki; Elia, Bakambu, Banza.​

Given Senegal's H2H superiority and their comfortable first match victory against Botswana, we recommend placing bets at LiveScore Bet on the Lions of Teranga to have an edge in this fixture.​

Prediction: Senegal 1-0 DR Congo

• Bet on Senegal to win

• Under 2.5 goals

• Over 6.5 corners