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These two have met 13 times with these meetings producing just 14 goals. Senegal have won their last three encounters, including the AFCON Final last month. Egypt have only lost one of their last 18 competitive home games, dating back to a 1-0 Senegal win in 2014.
Under 2.5 goals is 4/11.
Draw and under 2.5 goals is 9/4.Â
Match preview
A mere 46 days after going head-to-head in Yaoundé in the Africa Cup of Nations Final, Senegal and Egypt meet again in an equally important clash.
That night, in a game of few chances, it ended goalless, meaning the African champions’ identity was to be determined by a penalty shootout.
Mohamed Abdelmonem and Mohanad Lasheen both failed to convert with Sadio Mané then stepping up and firing Senegal to their first-ever AFCON trophy.
Senegal are aiming to reach their third World Cup after appearing at 2002, where they got all the way to the quarter-finals, and then 2018.
Head Coach Aliou Cissé was part of that 2002 team that also reached that year’s AFCON Final, losing this time to Cameroon via a shootout.
Les Lions de la Téranga have breezed through World Cup 2022 qualifying so far, amassing 16 points against Togo, Namibia and Congo.
But, this’ll obviously be a far tougher assignment, so can the African champions build up a first leg lead in Cairo?
Egypt meanwhile have reached ten Africa Cup of Nations Finals, lifting the trophy a record seven-times, including three in a row between 2006 and 2010.
Despite this, the Pharaohs’ World Cup record is underwhelming, only appearing at the 1934, 1990 (both in Italy) and 2018 editions.
Five years ago, Mohamed Salah’s 95th minute penalty snatched a 2-1 win over Congo, securing Egypt’s place in Russia and ending their 28-year World Cup exile.
This time round, Carlos Queiroz’s side have cruised to top spot in Group E, above Gabon, Libya and Angola.
The Portuguese coach has led a team at each of the last three World Cups (Portugal and then Iran twice) so doesn’t want that streak to end.
Can the enormous and intimidating Cairo International Stadium roar their team onto a first leg victory?
Egypt team news
Everything is about Mohamed Salah in this team, if anything they relay on him too heavily.
The Liverpool winger has scored 47 international goals compared to the 35 scored by the other 22 squad members combined.
Salah could be joined up front by Mostafa Mohamed of Galatasaray and Trézéguet who left Aston Villa for İstanbul Başakşehir last month.
Mohamed Elneny will look to hold the fort in midfield, add to his 90 caps for his country.
Mohamed Abou Gabal was the surprise hero in goal at AFCON but Mohamed El Shenawy, who’s fit again, could return between the sticks.
Senegal team news
Fresh from last month’s historic success, Senegal have all their big stars and familiar faces raring to go here.
As ever, Sadio Mané will be the main goal threat but Watford’s Ismaïla Sarr, who’s fully fit now, could start on the other wing.
Famara Diédhiou got the nod through the middle for the majority of AFCON so could keep his place over Boulaye Dia.
The midfield is likely to continue to feature the usual axis of Idrissa Gana Gueye, Cheikhou Kouyaté and Nampalys Mendy.
Likewise, Édouard Mendy will continue in goal with captain Kalidou Koulibaly and Abdou Diallo part of a solid defensive line.
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