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

Gustavo Costas's side, on the other hand, head into the weekend on a run of four consecutive defeats and will be looking to end this dry spell.

Match preview

Bolivia endured an underwhelming campaign in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers as they finished bottom but one in the CONMEBOL qualifying standings, only above 10th-placed Venezuela.

La Verde, whose last World Cup appearance came in 1994 when they were dumped out in the group stages with one point from three games, were last in action on March 30, when they were condemned to a humbling 4-0 defeat by Brazil.

In that encounter, Tite's men simply ran riot at the Estadio Hernando Siles as goals from Lucas Paqueta, Bruno Guimaraes and a brace from Tottenham forward Richarlison saw them pick up their 14th group win and close out their qualifying campaign with a bang.

Bolivia have now lost each of their most recent four games, scoring three goals and conceding a staggering 14 since their 5-0 thumping of Trinidad and Tobago back in January.

However, they head into the weekend on a run of four wins from their last six games on home turf, while they have won each of their last two friendlies since March 2021, scoring six goals and keeping two clean sheets.

Senegal, on the other hand, booked their spot in the 2022 Africa Nations Championship in their most recent outing when they claimed a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Guinea on August 27.

Having seen off Liberia in the first qualifying round, 19-year-old Meleye Diagne came up clutch at the Stade Me Abdoulaye Wade as he scored what proved to be the decider one minute away from the hour mark.

Prior to their CHAN qualifying campaign, Senegal had to settle for Bronze in the 2022 COSAFA Cup, where they beat Mozambique on penalties in the third-place playoff on July 17 after suffering a 4-3 loss to eventual winners Zambia in the semi-finals.

Aliu Cisse's side, who secured their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations crown earlier this year, have picked up seven wins from their last 10 games since February's AFCON success — a run which saw them secure their place in the upcoming World Cup at the expense of Egypt.

Senegal, who have also claimed an impressive six wins from their last seven on home soil, are currently top of Group L of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with six points from their opening two games.

Bolivia competition form:

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Bolivia form (all competitions):

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Senegal form (all competitions):

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Team News

Costas has called up an experienced 26-man squad for their friendlies, including The Strongest's duo of Adrian Jusino and Fernando Saucedo and veteran goalkeeper Carlos Lampe, who has 50 caps to his name.

Former Shakhtar Donetsk striker Marcelo Moreno, who is the nation's all-time leading goalscorer with 30 goals in 50 appearances, has also earned a spot in the squad and the 35-year-old should lead the attack once again.

He should be joined in the final third by Always Ready forward Rodrigo Ramallo and 26-year-old Carmelo Algaranaz, while Ramiro Vaca and Bolivar midfielder Moises Villarroel should team up at the centre of the park.

Senegal, on the other hand, have called up a star-studded 27-man squad for their friendlies against Bolivia and Iran, with the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gueye and Sadio Mane headlining the teams.

Koulibaly should marshal the defence, alongside Abdou Diallo, Pape Abou Cisse and AC Milan man Fode Ballo-Toure, while we expect Mane to team up with 25-year-old Boulaye Dia and Watford's Ismaila Sarr at the opposite end of the pitch.

On the injury front, Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and Brest's Noah Fadiga have been withdrawn from the Lions of Teranga squad, while former Inter Milan winger Keita Balde has been hit with a doping ban.

Bolivia possible starting lineup:

Lampe; Quinteros, Jusino, Fernandez, Sagredo; Vaca, Villarroel, Justiniano; Ramallo, Algaranaz, Moreno

Senegal possible starting lineup:

Gomis; Cisse, Koulibaly, Diallo, Ballo-Toure; Kouyate, Mendy, I Gueye; Mane, Dia, Sarr

We say: Bolivia 0-2 Senegal

Senegal have enjoyed a solid run of form and will fancy their chances against a Bolivia side who have lost their last four games. We expect the Lions of Teranga to name a star-studded lineup this weekend and come away with a comfortable victory.

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