World Cup group H: Poland vs. Senegal team news, kick-off time and TV channel

Poland vs. Senegal

• When: Tuesday 19 June 
• Kick-off time: 4pm (UK) 
• Where: Spartak Stadium, Moscow 
• TV channel: live on ITV

Poland captain Robert Lewandowski was the leading goalscorer in World Cup qualifying and he goes to Russia knowing that a nation’s expectations rest on his shoulders.

The Bayern Munich striker, who scored 16 goals on the road to Russia, will lead Poland in their first group H match against Senegal but says he is not worried by the pressure to succeed.

He told Fifa.com: “The [fans’] expectations are high, but they expect it not only from me but from the whole team. We know that Poland is a nation that always believes, always keeps fingers crossed for the players, but at the same time expects a lot. We are prepared for that.

“Pressure? There has always been pressure and will be forever, but we know how to deal with that, we put pressure aside.”

Poland’s opponents at the Spartak Stadium, Senegal, have their own star striker looking to get amongst the goals in Russia. Liverpool’s Sadio Mane will provide pace from the wide areas and will be supported in attack by the likes of Keita Balde and M’Baye Niang.

Midfielder Pape Alioune Ndiaye believes the “Lions of Teranga” are improving by the day and “will get stronger”. Ndiaye said: “The game against Poland? It will be a World Cup match with intensity and commitment, on paper it is a high quality billing and we are here to play in this kind of match.” 

Key battle

Poland striker Lewandowski will go up against a defender known as “K2”, ESPN reports. The Poles will rely on Lewandowski for goals, but Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly will be out to stop him. It is “an intriguing personal duel” says ESPN. 

Poland vs. Senegal predicted starting XIs

How the two teams could line up at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow, according to Fifa.com: 

• Poland (4-5-1): Wojciech Szczesny; Maciej Rebus, Michal Pazdan, Jan Bednarek, Lukasz Piszczek; Kamil Grosicki, Jacek Goralski, Grzegorz Krychowiak, Jakub Blaszczykowski, Piotr Zielinski; Robert Lewandowski​ 
• Senegal (4-3-3): Khadim Ndiaye; Lamine Gassama, Kara Mbodji, Kalidou Koulibaly, Youssouf Sabaly; Pape Alioune Ndiaye, Cheikhou Kouyate, Gana Idrissa Gueye; Keita Balde, M’Baye Niang, Sadio Mane

Group H fixtures and live TV channels

• 19 June: Colombia vs. Japan (1pm, BBC); Poland vs. Senegal (4pm, ITV) 
• 24 June: Japan vs. Senegal (4pm, BBC); Poland vs. Colombia (7pm, ITV) 
• 28 June: Senegal vs. Colombia (3pm, BBC); Japan vs. Poland (3pm, BBC)