Burkina Faso v Senegal semi-final predictions: Favourites can edge cagey affair

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Burkina Faso v Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals on Wednesday.

Where to watch

Live on Sky Sports Premier League & BBC3, 7pm Wednesday

Best bet

Senegal to win & under 3.5 goals
2pts 6-5 Coral, Ladbrokes

Over 9.5 corners
2pts 21-20 Betfair

Match preview

Well-fancied Senegal haven't looked great in getting to the last four of the Africa Cup of Nations but they are improving enough to be able to take care of Burkina Faso in the first semi-final in Yaounde.

Two teams who have never before won the title – unlike the other semi-final between Cameroon and Egypt, nations who have won the cup 12 times between them – meet in a match which is sure to be cagey, in keeping with much of the rest of the competition.

But the signs are that Senegal are warming to their task and having seen off obdurate opponents in Cape Verde and Equatorial Guinea in the last two rounds, they should be able to defeat a country ranked 40 places below them in the world.

Don't expect goals – that's almost obvious. Only eight of the 48 matches thus far have produced four or more goals so it may pay to back Senegal to win and under 3.5 goals to be scored.

Burkina Faso have scored exactly one goal in each of their five outings, the most recent of which was from Lorient's Dango Ouattara, which was enough to see off Tunisia. He was later sent off and is suspended. Senegal, with Sadio Mane fine after his concussion scare of a week ago, should be close to full strength.

Another bet to consider has to be over 9.5 corners at odds-against. Burkina Faso have been shipping corners at a rate of more than seven per game and they are going to be under pressure from the off. All five of their matches have produced ten or more corners.

Not got a bet365 account? Bet £10 & get £50 in free bets

Open account offer. Minimum deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as bet credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Minimum odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude bet credits stake. Time limits/T&Cs apply. 18+ begambleaware.org

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport