Euro Qualifiers Belgium vs Russia: Another Chance for Red Devils

Euro Qualifiers Belgium vs Russia: Another Chance for Red Devils

Belgium vs Russia

The Euro 2020 qualifiers get underway at the Stade Roi Badouin in Brussels on Thursday, as Belgium hosts Russia in the Group I curtain raiser.

Both sides will be keen to kick off the new campaign with a positive result, which means a win for Roberto Martinez’ Red Devils, while Russia is more likely to be happy with a draw. Ranked 49 places apart by FIFA (at 1 and 50) this looks like a home banker, and Belgium fans hope it will be the start of a sparkling journey to the final in 2020.

The ‘Golden Generation’ still hasn’t delivered on its undoubted talent. They looked likely to go all the way at Russia 2018 but fell short in the semi-finals against eventual winners France. And this week they come up against a nation reinvigorated by its own performance at the World Cup.

Euro Qualifiers Belgium vs Russia is one of the standout ties of the week, and we’ll be right there with SBOBET.

Talking Points

When will the Golden Generation actually win something?

Belgium is the best team in the world according to the FIFA Rankings, marginally ahead of France. But there’s one key factor which will rankle with their players and fans.

They are yet to win anything; while Les Bleus are World Champions after winning the 2018 tournament for the second time, and they have two European Championships.

Belgium’s best performances so far have been a runners-up medal in the 1980 European Championship and third place at the 2018 World Cup. And head coach

Martinez knows he needs to improve on that in 2020.

Look at the players the Red Devils have! Captain Eden Hazard is one of the best in the world, able to carry a team on his own with his immaculate ball control and killer instinct. And he won’t be in the best of moods after his Chelsea lost to Everton at the weekend.

At the back there’s Real Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois, and Spurs centre back pairing of Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, while another creative force alongside Hazard comes in the form of Napoli wide man Dries Mertens.

Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku is in a rich vein of form, but he may be doubtful, having been sent for an ankle scan by the Belgian team doctor.

Belgium threw in a dreadful performance to crash out of the UEFA Nations League though. Eden’s younger brother Thorgan Hazard had given the Red Devils a two goal lead against Switzerland before they capitulated, losing 5-2 as Haris Seferovic helped himself to a hat-trick.

Can Russia build on the 2018 World Cup?

Head coach Stanislas Cherchesov signed a two year extension after Russia’s resounding success in the 2018 World Cup. His team impressed fans around the world as they hosted the tournament and progressed to the quarter-finals, beating favourites Spain on the way.

In the run up to the tournament Russia was unimpressive to say the least, but the future is looking bright. The Russian Premier League is getting stronger and that is good news for the national side. Zenit St Petersburg provides much of the talent at Cherchesov’s disposal. His captain Artyom Dzyuba plays alongside striker partner Alelsandr Kokorin, while midfielder Oleg Shatov is a cultured ball player.

There’s still some way to go though. Russia failed to get out of its UEFA Nations League group B2 after losing the final game 2-0 to Sweden.

History

The Red Devils have had the better of the head-to-head Belgium vs Russia results with three wins and a draw in the four meetings since 2002. The last was a 3-3 draw in a friendly in Russia in 2017.

Russia failed to score in the two previous games and Belgium has won whenever on home soil.

The visitors arrive in Belgium with back-to-back defeats and the Red Devils haven’t lost in any of their last 15 home matches. So there’s not a lot going for the visitors, apart from the fact they won the European Championship in 1960 as part of the Soviet Union.

So let’s take a look at the latest Belgium vs Russia betting odds and try to work it all out.

Betting Tip

Belgium -1.50 @ 1.97

Well, despite Russia’s promise following their home World Cup, they are still a long way behind Belgium, and the odds reflect that. The hosts are at 1.33, with the draw available at 4.80 and Russia is at 8.50 to spring a major surprise.

Home advantage counts for a lot for the Red Devils and 2-0 is the most likely result at odds of 6.00.

Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.

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