Preview: Togo vs. Senegal - prediction, team news, lineups

Senegal will look to continue their perfect record in World Cup 2022 Qualifying on Thursday, when they make the trip to take on Togo.

The visitors sit at the summit of their group with 12 points from four games, while their hosts occupy second spot and are unable to catch their opponents.

Match preview

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Togo had to fight for their place in the qualifying group, as they met Comoros in a two-legged tie in the first round, and a 2-0 home victory saw them progress with a 3-1 aggregate win.

Their hopes of reaching next year's tournament have since been dashed though, as the group campaign began with a trip to Senegal, with Thursday's opponents coming out with a 2-0 win thanks to goals from Sadio Mane and Abdou Diallo.

That was followed by a 1-0 home defeat to Namibia, and, while they have seen an upturn in form recently, the only qualification spot in the group is now out of reach.

Paulo Duarte's men put their first point on the board at the third time of asking following a 1-1 draw with Congo, before they earned their first victory in the most recent outing, as Euloge Placca and Kevin Denkey fired them to a 2-1 away victory over the same opponents.

While Senegal are now out of reach, Les Eperviers will still look to build confidence with what would be an eye-catching victory on Thursday.

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Their visitors arrive looking to carry a perfect record into the final round of qualifying, having won all four of their group matches so far.

After the opening victory over Thursday's opponents, Aliou Cisse's men picked up a 3-1 away victory over Congo, thanks to goals from Boulaye Dia, Ismaila Sarr and Mane, before they made it three on the bounce as Idrissa Gueye, Keita Balde and Famara Diedhiou got on the scoresheet alongside Mane in a 4-1 win over Namibia.

Diedhiou was the star in their most recent outing, as he netted all three goals in a 3-1 away win over Namibia, leaving them eight points clear in the only qualification spot in the group, with just two games left to play.

Les Lions de la Teranga have now failed to win just one of their last nine games in all competitions - as South Africa came out victorious after a penalty shootout in the COSAFA Cup final in the summer - and they will look to keep building momentum as they continue a charge towards the World Cup.

Team News

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Togo have named a squad full of experience, with the likes of winger Floyd Ayite and defender Djene Dakonam trusted to lead the side.

Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba should continue to play an important role in the front line, having hit 14 international goals, while young Cercle Brugge striker Kevin Denkey has impressed since coming into the national team.

Senegal boast a notably star-studded squad, with top-flight quality all over the pitch including the likes of Paris Saint-Germain's Idrissa Gueye and Leicester City's Nampalys Mendy in midfield and Watford danger man Ismaila Sarr going forward.

The star in attack is undoubtedly Liverpool winger Sadio Mane, who has 22 international goals to his name and recently surpassed 100 Premier League goals.

Key Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly will continue to lead the back line, while goalkeeper Edouard Mendy shone in Chelsea's Champions League triumph last term.

Togo possible starting lineup:
Barcola; Atte, Dakonam, Agbozo, Tchoutchoui; Placca, Romao, Nane, Ayite; Denkey, Laba

Senegal possible starting lineup:
E Mendy; Diallo, Koulibaly, Kouyate, Ciss; N Mendy, Gueye, P Sarr; I Sarr, Diedhiou, Mane

We say: Togo 0-3 Senegal

We see Senegal continuing their impressive run with another dominant victory on Thursday.

The visitors boast far more quality than their opponents, and with the aim of heading into the final qualification round with momentum, they are unlikely to slow down.

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