Belgium VS Netherlands Match Prediction
2018-10-16
18:45:00
Belgium
VS
Netherlands
Our Prediction Tip
Belgium will win this match.
2018-10-1618:45:00 Belgium will win this match.
The Netherlands last beat Belgium in a World Cup qualifier in 1997. Since then, there have been five draws and two Belgium wins, one of which came in the subsequent World Cup group stage and the other six of which were friendlies. The most recent friendly ended in a 1-1 draw in 2016, with Yannick Carrasco cancelling out Davy Klaassen’s opener, while Belgium’s most recent win was in 2012 – Christian Benteke, Dries Mertens, Romelu Lukaku and Jan Vertonghen scoring in a 4-2 win in Brussels. Belgium have won 41 times in this fixture in all, but the Netherlands still have the edge with 55 wins and 30 draws.
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The Netherlands looked more like the Dutch of old as they beat Germany last time out, but Belgium is a much tougher challenge.
While they make the short trip across the border with renewed confidence, they will be quite aware it is more than 20 years since they last won this fixture.
Belgium have continued in the same vein of form they showed at the World Cup – the Red Devils maintaining their winning start with victory against Switzerland last time out.
Romelu Lukaku is in good goalscoring form, and Eden Hazard has been typically good alongside him.
Hazard’s form means the loss of Kevin de Bruyne has not been felt, and with the Netherlands missing their defensive leader, Virgil van Dijk, for this game, Belgium’s attackers can take advantage.
Memphis Depay, back in form, will be the Dutchman to watch but, as with their attack, Belgium boast a scary depth of defensive talent too.
Having clicked over the last two years, and having been rewarded with a third-place finish at the World Cup, the Belgian train is continuing to gather momentum.
They are one of the most in-form teams in world football at the moment, and – despite the Netherlands’ resurgent form – the Red Devils can continue their winning start to the post-World Cup campaign.
Belgium are 8/13 favourites to beat the Netherlands with Betway – odds which reflect their expected dominance.
The Netherlands have not beaten Belgium since 1997, but they were in good form against Germany. Both teams to score has been set at 8/11 by Bet365 and Belgium to win and BTTS is 11/5 with Bet365 and Betway.
You can only get 4/6 on there being over 2.5 goals too.
Romelu Lukaku’s goalscoring form for Belgium - five in the last three games - speaks for itself, and with Virgil van Dijk missing he can get another. The Man United man is evens to score at any time with Ladbrokes and Betway.
Belgium have continued their good form after the World Cup as their ‘golden generation’ continues to shine. The Netherlands looked good against Germany, but Belgium are – on current form - a level above.
Uncapped Leandro Trossard withdrew from the Belgian squad injured, joining a list of injury absentees that also features Kevin de Bruyne, Mousa Dembele, Adnan Januzaj and Jan Vertonghen. The squad is still packed full of experience, however, with Axel Witsel now closing in on 100 caps in midfield. Roberto Martinez may use the friendly to try some of his less experienced platers, however - uncapped Brandon Mechele and midfield trio Timothy Castagne, Dennis Praet and Hans Vanaken (who all have one cap) for example.
Romelu Lukaku – Scored both goals in the win against Switzerland to take him to 45 goals in his 78 international appearances, including five in the last three.
Eden Hazard – The Belgian playmaker, captain, star man and World Cup Silver Ball winner has also made a fine start to the season for Chelsea too.
Axel Witsel – Controls the tempo in midfield and will be a key man in the middle again as he makes his 99th international appearance.
Defeat to France in the World Cup semi-finals was Belgium’s first since 2016, and they have won all four matches they have played since. They beat England 2-0 to finish third at the World Cup, before Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Michy Batshuayi (twice) scored in a 4-0 friendly win in Scotland. The Red Devils have won their two UEFA Nations League matches too, with Hazard and Lukaku’s double ensuring a 3-0 win in Iceland before a 2-1 win against Switzerland – Lukaku again scoring both goals.
Captain Virgil van Dijk has been ruled out of the game against Belgium through injury, after scoring in the win against Germany. The big defender could be replaced by Nathan Ake. Patrick van Aanholt and Davy Propper were absent from the match-day squad against Germany but could feature this time. Pablo Rosario is pushing for a debut, but Steven Bergwijn, Arnaut Groeneveld and Denzel Dumfries all won their first caps last time out.
Matthijs de Ligt – The Ajax defender will be key in Virgil van Dijk’s absence against an in-form Belgian attack.
Mamphis Depay – Scored in the win against Germany, having also scored both goals when the Netherlands beat Peru.
Gini Wijnaldum – Has impressed with Liverpool this season and also bagged his ninth international goal in the win against Germany – only Depay has more in the current squad.
Having drawn both of their summer friendlies 1-1, against Slovakia and Italy, the Netherlands have made an improved start to the new season under Ronald Koeman. Memphis Depay’s double saw them come from behind to beat Peru in a friendly last month, but they then lost to France in the UEFA Nations League despite Ryan Babel’s goal in a 2-1 defeat. Last time out, however, they stormed back into form. Virgil van Dijk opened the scoring against Germany and late goals from Memphis Depay and Gini Wijnaldum sealed a 3-0 win.
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