Poland (The White and Reds) have been a surprise team of late and not in a good way. They failed to qualify in both 2010 and 2014, however have shown a whole new side to their game founded on a strong defence. Now ranked 8th in the world, Poland have had very good results of late. They did not lose a single game in the EUROS losing on penalties to eventual winners Portugal in the quarter finals.
Highlighted by 2 goalkeepers who are finally coming of age in Fabianski and Szczesny, solid defenders such as Piszczek and with one of the world best strikers up front in Robert Lewandowski, Poland have a strong enough team to compete with anyone.
Poland impressed in qualifying only losing once and topping their group.
Senegal (The Lions of Teranga) have by far the coolest FA logo. A team that is surprisingly only at its 2nd ever world cup despite always having very good players. After reaching the quarter finals in 2002, this team of players would like to dream of repeating such a feat.
Senegal made it through qualifying undefeated based on solid defence and a ferocious counter attack. Boasting a team where every single one of their players plays in Europe except their goalie. The tip of the spear is Liverpool's Sadio Mane who is deadly in front of goal. A slew of 0-0 draws in the lead up to the tournament isn't ideal, but as we've already seen, once the players take the field, history means very little.
Both these teams will want to get off on the right foot with an extremely tight group where every team will believe they can make it out, it will either lead to very attacking football so teams can get an advantage or very defensive one in order to not give their opponents momentum. This is a very tough call, with my head saying Poland but my heart says Senegal. 2-1 Poland.
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