Norway have three points on the board, Senegal none, so this Euro-African showdown at New York New Jersey Stadium has plenty riding on it.
Stale Solbakken's Norwegians are in the box seat in World Cup Group I after Erling Haaland's double inspired them to a 4-1 win over Iraq in their opening game last Tuesday.
But, while Senegal are playing catch-up after losing 3-1 to France, the Lions of Teranga showed more than enough quality to suggest that they can trouble Norway.
Norway vs. Senegal betting picks and predictions
Senegal - Draw No Bet (+120)
You win admirers not points for gutsy defeats, which is what Senegal picked up from their opening 3-1 loss to France.
It means they are on the back foot in Group I despite a commendable effort against the French, who they outplayed throughout the first half before Kylian Mbappe and pals clicked into gear in the second.
They will expect to beat Iraq in their third game on Friday, but won't want to be going into that game in Toronto pointless.
That alone makes them a danger to Norway, who themselves beat Iraq 4-1 in their first game, comfortable enough though never really that impressive.
Norway are the favorites here and everything leans towards a bet the other way.
Forget the need-to-win scenario. The fact is Senegal are a world-class team and blessed with stars of European football in every position.
Ex-Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy always was a great shot-stopper, man mountain defenseman Kalidou Koulibaly is, well, a man mountain, and Everton's Idrissa Gueye a steely workhorse in midfield.
The defensive spine of this team is so strong and then there is pace to burn in attack through Sadio Mane, Nicolas Jackson, Ismaila Sarr and teen ace Ibrahim Mbaye of Paris Saint-Germain.
Norway are decent, but they managed just 12 shots against Iraq, five from their absolute star man, Premier League Golden Boot winner Haaland.
He has to be stopped, but Koulibaly is just the man to take him on. It's the type of physical battle the former Napoli great will relish.
The prices reflect the opening-game scorelines rather than anything else. The reality is Senegal can win this and definitely merit a bet, maybe with the draw no-bet safety net attached.
Nicolas Jackson to score or assist (+160)
Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson was a real handful against Les Bleus with his pace off the mark and eye for a shot.
He crashed one effort against the post and found the back of the net with another piledriver, which was ruled out for offside.
The reason Jackson is such a menace is because not only is he a quality striker, but he is also supremely fresh, unlike so many other stars from Europe's big leagues.
Jackson played just over 1,000 minutes in the league for Bayern Munich this season, less than half the total totted up by team-mate Harry Kane.
The Senegal and ex-Chelsea forward still managed to score 11 goals for his club plus another seven for his country and he looks ready to impress.
So, he will attack Norway at full-pelt and the Norwegian defence marshalled by Brentford's Kristoffer Ajar did not look wholly comfortable against Iraq.
Back Jackson at +160 to either score or assist.
Erling Haaland over 1.5 fouls (+225)
Koulibaly, at 35, may not be the defender he once was, but the Lions of Teranga's skipper will still be a handful for any centre-forward.
That includes Haaland, Norway's two-goal hero in their first game, so this should be a really physical dust-up and neither man will give an inch.
Haaland committed a couple of fouls against Iraq, whose defence failed to ask the same questions of him that Senegal will.
Expect the Manchester City giant to transgress at least twice at nice odds.
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Norway vs. Senegal odds
Norway | +130 |
Tie | +250 |
Senegal | +210 |
Norway vs. Senegal player props
Anytime goalscorer
Erling Haaland (Norway) | -110 |
Alexander Sorloth (Norway) | +210 |
Martin Odegaard (Norway) | +500 |
Nicolas Jackson (Senegal) | +240 |
Sadio Mane (Senegal) | +250 |
Ismail Sarr (Senegal) | +350 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
