USA vs Senegal Prediction: Betting Tips & Odds

The United States and Senegal meet at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Monday morning New Zealand time in a pre-World Cup friendly. This also happens to be the first-ever senior meeting between the two nations.

Both countries have named their 26-man squads for the tournament. For the Americans, this is the second-to-last chance to sort out their issues before hosting the World Cup in June. There’s plenty to sort out after losses to Belgium (5-2) and Portugal (2-0) in March. 

In this USA vs Senegal preview, I look at how both teams are shaping up for the summer. I’ve also got a goals-market angle for those tracking football sports betting odds this week.

USA

I’m worried about this team: their March window was ugly. They went 1-0 up against Belgium through Weston McKennie’s close-range finish off an Antonee Robinson corner, then conceded five. Then three days later they couldn’t score against Portugal.

Before that, though, they were in decent form. We’re talking a 5-1 hammering of Uruguay in November and a 2-1 win over Paraguay had the squad looking like a side growing into their identity. I think the reality is probably in between.

Christian Pulisic hasn’t scored for his country since November 2024, which is a concern given how productive he’s been at AC Milan. I’d expect Mauricio Pochettino to use this friendly to test some of his fringe picks. Gio Reyna’s inclusion in the World Cup squad was a surprise given his lack of starts at Monchengladbach, and Folarin Balogun needs minutes.

Team News: Richards is recovering from torn ankle ligaments. Morris and Tessmann were cut from the World Cup roster. Cardoso missed out through injury.

Predicted Lineup: Freese; Scally, McKenzie, Ream, Robinson; Adams, McKennie; Weah, Tillman, Pulisic; Balogun.

Senegal

Senegal are coming into this clash with better recent form and a stronger squad than they’re getting credit for I reckon. 

Nicolas Jackson has scored eight goals on loan at Bayern Munich this season, playing as Harry Kane’s understudy. Then you’ve got Ibrahim Mbaye, one of the most exciting teenagers in world football at PSG, and Ismaila Sarr, who found the net in their 2-0 win over Peru in March.

Their AFCON run was chaotic though. They were leading the final against Morocco when the referee awarded a controversial penalty. Several Senegalese players walked off the pitch in protest before extra time, and CAF’s appeals board later overturned the result, awarding Morocco a 3-0 forfeiture win. That saga is now at CAS.

I suspect it’ll fuel them heading into the World Cup, where they’ll face France and Norway in Group I.

Two wins in the March window confirmed they’re ticking along. Sadio Mane is 34 and playing in Saudi Arabia, but his experience in this group is valuable.

Team News: Kalidou Koulibaly captains the side. Pape Thiaw named a 28-man preliminary squad, with two still to be cut before the deadline.

Predicted Lineup: Edouard Mendy; Krepin Diatta, Koulibaly, Moussa Niakhate, Ismail Jakobs; Idrissa Gana Gueye, Pape Gueye, Lamine Camara; Sarr, Jackson, Mane.

• This is the first-ever senior meeting between the two countries.
• The USA have lost their last two friendlies, conceding seven goals.
• Senegal are unbeaten in five, winning four with 10 goals scored.
• Both teams scored in three of the USA’s last four home friendlies.
• Senegal conceded just three goals in 10 World Cup qualifying matches.

I’m leaning towards a Senegal win or draw here. 

The Americans will have the home crowd and the World Cup buzz, but their March results can’t be waved away. Their defence was a mess against Belgium and they couldn’t create against Portugal. 

Senegal are two places higher in the FIFA rankings and I think they’ll prove why.

This is still a dead rubber, though. Both managers will rotate. Pochettino wants to assess his full squad, and Thiaw needs to finalise his. I wouldn’t be shocked if this ends up loose and open, with experimental lineups on both sides producing a disjointed affair.

I’m not confidently backing either team on the match result. The goals are where I’m focused.

If you’re following this through betting promotions on your preferred platform, the goals markets look the most appealing.

Both Teams to Score @ $1.75

The USA have conceded in every match since November. Belgium put five past them, and their centre-back partnership is still an open question.

Senegal have scored in seven straight. Jackson and Sarr are in form, and Mbaye’s pace will test an American backline that looked vulnerable against Belgium’s counterattacks.

At $1.75, BTTS is a price I’m happy to play on the best live betting sites available in New Zealand.