Belgium VS Russia Match Prediction
2019-03-21
19:45:00
Belgium
VS
Russia
Our Prediction Tip
Belgium will win this match.
2019-03-2119:45:00 Belgium will win this match.
Belgium are unbeaten in their five previous matches with Russia since the break-up of the Soviet Union. They have won three but the most recent match was the second draw between the two nations in Sochi in March 2017. Viktor Vasin opened the scoring for the Russians, but Kevin Mirallas’ penalty and a Christian Benteke gave Belgium a 3-1 half-time lead. Aleksei Miranchuk pulled one back however, and Alexander Bukharov snatched a draw with an injury-time leveller. That was the first match between the two since Divock Origi scored the only goal of the game during the group stages of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Belgium have a brilliant home record, particularly in competitive matches, and they start their journey to what could ultimately be Euro 2020 success on home soil.
The third-placed team at the World Cup, Belgium still have the majority of that team available – though injury means Axel Witsel, Kevin de Bruyne and Vincent Kompany miss out on this occasion.
Their strength in depth is key, however – Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku will lead the attacking charge and they still have the experience of Spurs duo Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld to count on at the back.
Quite simply, the Red Devils should be qualifying for Euro 2020 with ease and that starts with this home game against their likely nearest challengers, Russia.
Russia missed out on a guaranteed play-off shot through the UEFA Nations League system, but the injuries which beset their final game of that campaign have eased.
Key players such as World Cup star Denis Cheryshev and playmaker Aleksandr Golovin are back in the squad, while Artem Dzyuba will continue to lead the line up front.
Dzyuba’s power will cause problems for Belgium, but if they use their home advantage as they tend to do so, and create the chances expected of them, Lukaku could outshine his opposite number.
Indeed, Lukaku’s form for Manchester United has improved vastly in recent weeks – as with a number of team-mates under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – and if he can maintain that goalscoring form, Belgium will fancy their chances.
On home soil at least, it is very difficult not to back Roberto Martinez’s Red Devils to win.
Belgium are expected to use their home advantage against a Russia side that has not travelled well, certainly in comparison to the home form they showed at the World Cup. The hosts are 1/3 to win with Ladbrokes.
These two teams shared six goals when they last met, while Belgium’s most recent match saw seven scored. Both have attacking quality, not least the hosts, and over 2.5 goals will return 13/20 with Bet365.
Russia failed to score in either of their last two matches, however – both away from home – and while they welcome back some key attacking players, you can bet against both teams to score at a best price of 5/6 with Ladbrokes.
Romelu Lukaku has hit form for Manchester United recently, meanwhile, and he is 8/11 to score at any time for Belgium with Bet365.
Belgium on home soil, against a Russian team with a poor recent away record, should be starting their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign with a win.
More injury concerns for Manchester City duo Vincent Kompany and Kevin de Bruyne mean both men miss out on the latest Belgium squad, as does Borussia Dortmund midfielder Axel Witsel. The only other player missing from the squad which faced Switzerland last time out is defender Christian Kabasele. Brandon Mechele and Leandro Trossard are the only uncapped outfield players in Belgium's 28-man squad.
Eden Hazard - The Belgian captain is suffering a frustrating couple of months at Chelsea but he remains integral to the national team as he closes in on his 100th cap.
Romelu Lukaku - Hit a purple patch of goalscoring form for Manchester United and will look to add to his 45 in 79 international matches for Belgium.
Thomas Meunier - Integral to Belgium's counter-attacking set-up, and with an average of one goal every six games he boasts a good scoring record for a wing-back.
Defeat to Switzerland in the UEFA Nations League - which costs Belgium top spot in their group - was only their third since Euro 2016. Thorgan Hazard had fired the Belgians into a 2-0 lead but Switzerland hit five without reply to claim a stunning win. Belgium had previously beaten Iceland home and away - Michy Batshuayi netting both goals in a 2-0 home win prior to the Switzerland game - as well as claiming a 2-1 home win against the Swiss. In between, they drew 1-1 with the Netherlands in a friendly - Dries Mertens opening the scoring.
With the injury worries which beset their UEFA Nations League campaign behind them, it is a much-changed Russia squad preparing to face Belgium. Denis Cheryshev, Aleksandr Golovin, Mario Fernandes, Roman Zobnin and Fyodor Kudryashov are all back in the Russian squad, while there are four uncapped players selected too – Maksim Belyayev, Vyacheslav Karavayev, Ilzat Akhmetov and Fyodor Chalov. Roman Neustadter, Aleksandr Yerokhin and Dmitry Poloz are among the more experienced players left out from the squad which travelled to Sweden in November.
Artem Dzyuba – The Russian captain has not looked back since forcing his way into the World Cup team with his height and power delivering goals – he now has 15 in 32 matches.
Denis Cheryshev – His return could be key for Russia, having showed how important he can be with his excellent performances during the World Cup.
Aleksandr Golovin – The Monaco playmaker is another player back from injury who will add plenty of creativity in the Russian midfield.
Beset by injuries, Russia lost both matches they played in November – suffering a 3-0 friendly defeat in Germany and a 2-0 loss in their decisive UEFA Nations League match against Sweden. They had previously beaten Turkey home and away in the latter competition – Roman Neustadter and Denis Cheryshev scoring in their most recent win, at home, in October – as well as drawing with the Swedes.
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