Burkina Faso vs Senegal Prediction: A competitive encounter is expected

Africa Cup of Nations qualifying encounter resumes at Stade du 26 Mars, where Burkina Faso will host Senegal. Heading into this game, the two teams are seated with the same points, ten after the first four encounters. How will this unfold in Burkina Faso?

Burkina Faso's last encounter in the Africa Cup of Nations was against Burundi, and this team secured a win. In what was a road game, Mohamed Konate and Bertrand Traore's strikes were enough to secure maximum points for this side. However, Burkina Faso had an unbeaten run in this qualifier, winning three of their last five games while settling with draws with Senegal and Sierra Leone. After the first four games of this qualifier, Burkina Faso have ten points, leaving them seated at the top of the standings with ten goals scored and three conceded.  

Senegal pulled off a 0-1 win over Malawi in their last Africa Cup of Nations qualifier and will hope for a similar outcome here. In that encounter, Senegal struggled to find the back of the net despite attempting 30 shots, and it was not until the last minute they found the back of the net, thanks to Mane's brilliance. In the meantime, Senegal have won three consecutive games in this qualifier, defeating Malawi twice and also pulling in a road win over Burundi. The visiting team head into this game seated second spot with ten points, scoring seven goals and conceding one. 

Senegal have been a top nation to rely on, but in recent months, Burkina Faso's level of play has improved. With the high offensive performance of Burkina Faso, I do not expect them to sit back in this game, despite Senegal's expected high defensive performance. This should be a tight one, just like their first-leg performance. Burkina Faso picked up a point in the first leg, and despite Senegal being the favorites here, I do not still see the home team losing. Bet on both teams scoring while both teams settle for a draw.