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World Cup 2018 power rankings

By James Dudko

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Per Mertesacker of Germany holds the trophy a loft during the 2014 World Cup final match between Germany and Argentina at The Maracana Stadium on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Per Mertesacker of Germany holds the trophy a loft during the 2014 World Cup final match between Germany and Argentina at The Maracana Stadium on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) /
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BARNET, ENGLAND – MARCH 23: Sadio Mane of Senegal during the International Friendly match between Nigeria and Senegal at The Hive on March 23, 2017 in Barnet, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
BARNET, ENGLAND – MARCH 23: Sadio Mane of Senegal during the International Friendly match between Nigeria and Senegal at The Hive on March 23, 2017 in Barnet, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images) /

11. Senegal

Senegal could well be Group H winners thanks to their strong spine. The midfield is strong defensively, but also capable of carrying the ball forward thanks to West Ham’s Cheikhou Kouyate, Everton enforcer Idrissa Gueye and Stoke’s Badou Ndiaye.

Similar strength is obvious in a defense held together by Napoli center-back Kalidou Koulibaly. A defense this tough underpinning a midfield this resourceful will provide the ideal secure base to let Senegal’s talented attackers thrive.

The star man up front is undoubtedly Liverpool’s Sadio Mane. His pace and direct running have nuance thanks to a perceptive range of movement.

Mane scored in the Champions League final to cap a highly productive campaign, during which he netted 20 times and provided eight assists. Mane should have plenty of company thanks to the presence of Monaco forward Keita Balde.

The pair will dovetail effectively with natural center-forwards Moussa Sow and Diafra Sakho.

Colombia and Poland may be expected to lead the way in Group H, but Senegal shouldn’t be overlooked.

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