Match preview for England v Senegal
After an unconvincing 1-0 win over Andorra on Saturday, England return to action with hopes putting on a better show when they host Senegal in a friendly at the City Ground on Tuesday.
It will be England’s first appearance at Nottingham Forest’s home since 1941 and presents an opportunity to show fans what they are truly capable of under new head coach Thomas Tuchel.
Tuchel’s reign began with back-to-back wins in March and a third consecutive clean sheet in Andorra, despite the team’s sluggish display in Barcelona.
The Three Lions have now won six straight games since their Nations League loss to Greece and sit atop World Cup qualifying Group K.
Senegal, meanwhile, come into the clash boasting a 23-game unbeaten run (W16, D6). Although they lost the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations final on penalties, the Lions of Teranga haven’t suffered a defeat inside 90 minutes since mid-2022.
On Friday, they salvaged a late 1-1 draw against Ireland through Ismaila Sarr and remain a difficult team to break down, conceding no more than one goal in any of their last 25 matches.
This is the first meeting between the sides since the 2022 World Cup quarter-final, which England won 2-0.
Proud to represent the #ThreeLions ❤️
— England (@England) June 9, 2025
Team news for England v Senegal
England will be without Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, who withdrew from the squad due to injury. Bukayo Saka is set to start, according to Tuchel, but Conor Gallagher may miss out again after sitting out the win over Andorra.
Tuchel is expected to rotate his squad. Dean Henderson could start in goal, with Levi Colwill, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Trevoh Chalobah (who is chasing a debut) all in contention for starting roles.
Myles Lewis-Skelly and Declan Rice will be hoping to get the nod, while Eberechi Eze and Anthony Gordon are pushing for starts in attack.
Senegal are without Pape Matar Sarr due to a muscle injury, while Sadio Mane asked to be left out of the squad for personal reasons.
Edouard Mendy is expected to return in goal, and Kalidou Koulibaly may sit in defence alongside Moussa Niakhate.
In midfield and attack, Idrissa Gueye, Lamine Camara, Ismaila Sarr and Nicolas Jackson should all feature.
Expected line-ups for England v Senegal
England: Henderson; Alexander-Arnold, Chalobah, Colwill, Lewis-Skelly; Bellingham, Rice; Madueke, Eze, Gordon; Kane
Senegal: Mendy; Mendy, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Jakobs; Sarr, Gueye, Camara; Diatta, Ndiaye, Jackson
Take on our match quiz ahead of Tuesday’s international friendly vs Senegal ⤵️
— England (@England) June 9, 2025
How to watch England v Senegal: TV channel, online stream
The match will be broadcast live on ITV1 in the UK, with streaming available via the ITVX app and website. The game will kick-off at 19:45.
The stats for England v Senegal
- England have won six consecutive matches in all competitions.
- Thomas Tuchel is the first England manager to begin his tenure with three straight clean sheets.
- Senegal are unbeaten in 23 games across all competitions (W16, D6).
- The Lions of Teranga have not conceded more than one goal in any of their last 25 matches.
- England won the only previous meeting between these two nations 2-0 (2022 World Cup).
Prediction
England may be under pressure to impress after a sluggish display against Andorra, but they face a well-organised and in-form Senegal side that rarely concedes.
However, with the talent Tuchel has available to him, there should never be any excuse for not winning games.
England 2-1 Senegal
