Belgium VS Tunisia Match Prediction

This will be the fourth time Belgium and Tunisia have faced each other, and the second at the World Cup. Tunisia won their first meeting 2-1 back in 1992, while they drew 1-1 at the 2002 World Cup. Most recently, Dries Mertens scored the only goal of the game late in a friendly in Brussels ahead of the 2014 World Cup – a match which included a 40-minute delay because of a hailstorm.

%HEAD-TO-HEAD-STATS-BANNER%

Belgium vs Tunisia Stats

 Belgium are unbeaten in their last 20 matches

 Tunisia are without a win in their last four games (two draws, two defeats).

 Belgium have kept clean sheets in five of their last six games

 Romelu Lukaku has scored eight times in Belgium’s last six matches.

Belgium vs Tunisia Betting Tips

At one end of the pitch, Belgium are in superb defensive form – keeping five clean sheets in their last six matches – while at the other they have Romelu Lukaku scoring plenty.

His two goals against Panama took him to eight in Belgium’s last six games, and the Manchester United striker will be the man to watch again against Tunisia.

Just as Harry Kane struck twice to down Tunisia in their opening group game, Romelu Lukaku will be hoping to do the same this time out.

Tunisia were able to frustrate England for much of the second-half of that game, but Belgium have players like Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne who can unpick the most stubborn defences.

And when their passes are being collected by the likes of Lukaku and Dries Mertens – who scored the winner the last time these two teams met – there is only going to be one outcome.

Tunisia showed little in attack against England – and were perhaps fortunate to be able to score from a disputed penalty – and Belgium should have little trouble making it two wins from two games.

Belgium vs Tunisia Recommended bets with odds

Belgium are big odds-on favourites to beat Tunisia, with most bookmakers offering 3/10 on the Red Devils to win – Bet365, Ladbrokes, Betfair, Paddy Power, Betway, 10Bet and 888sport among them.

Given their good defensive form, it is worth upgrading that to evens with Ladbrokes on Belgium to win to nil, meanwhile.

Tunisia frustrated England with their defensive tactics, but Belgium have the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Eden Hazard to break them down and a Belgium win and over 2.5 goals is worth a look at evens with Betway. Over 2.5 goals on its own will return 10/13 with 10Bet.

Romelu Lukaku has been Belgium’s top striker - scoring eight times in their last six games - and he is 6/7 to score at any time with 888sport.

Belgium vs Tunisia Top three bets

1) Belgium to win and over 2.5 goals at evens with Betway
2) Romelu Lukaku to score at any time at 6/7 with 888sports
3) Belgium to win to nil at evens with Ladbrokes

Belgium vs Tunisia Prediction

Belgium have the attacking prowess to make lighter work of Tunisia's resilient defence than England managed in the opening game. With Romelu Lukaku in top form, Belgium could even repeat their 3-0 win from the first match.

Correct score prediction: Belgium 3-0 Tunisia

Correct score best odds: 15/2 (Bet365)

Belgium Team News

Thomas Vermaelen is expected to be fit to face Tunisia, but Vincent Kompany is not expected to return until Belgium face England in their final group game. Dedryck Boyata deputised in Belgium’s final friendly and against Panama. Eden Hazard was fit enough to play the full 90 minutes against Panama despite an injury scare in Belgium’s final warm-up match against Costa Rica.

Belgium Key Players

Romelu Lukaku (striker) – The Manchester United striker scored twice in the win against Panama and now has eight in his last six games for Belgium

Kevin de Bruyne (midfielder) – Assisted the first or Lukaku’s two goals with a superb cross, continuing the form he showed as he helped Manchester City to their record-breaking Premier League title

Eden Hazard (winger) – Chelsea man set up Lukaku’s second with a great through ball, and has a good scoring record himself – 22 goals in 86 international appearances

Belgium Previous match

Belgium 3-0 Panama

Belgium took until two minutes into the second-half to find a way past World Cup debutants Panama last time out, but then cruised to a 3-0 win. In truth, the Red Devils did not have to hit top gear as Dries Mertens opened the scoring before Romelu Lukaku’s quickfire double fired Belgium team to the top of Group G.

Belgium Team Form

Belgium are unbeaten in their last 20 matches and have won five of their last six games. The 3-0 win against Panama followed a 4-1 defeat of Costa Rica in their final warm-up match – the only goal Belgium have conceded in the last six matches. Their other World Cup warm-up matches were a goalless draw with Portugal and a 3-0 win against Egypt. Romelu Lukaku has scored in seven of Belgium’s last eight matches – the draw with Portugal being the only exception.

Belgium Predicted Starting Line up

Expected Line up: 3-4-3

Tunisia Team News

Wahbi Khazri returned from injury to face England in the opening game, having missed all of Tunisia’s pre-tournament matches. The Tunisians sprung a surprise in the first game by opting for Mouez Hassen over veteran keeper Aymen Mathlouthi. Hassen’s World Cup lasted just 16 minutes, however, before a tournament-ending shoulder injury forced him off. Even then, his replacement was not Mathlouthi but Farouk Ben Mustapha, who is likely to start between the sticks against Belgium.

Tunisia Key Players

Wahbi Khazri (striker) – Reinvented himself on loan at Rennes, playing in a more advanced role with great success

Anice Badri (midfielder) – Scored in Tunisia’s first two warm-up matches

Farouk Ben Mustapha (goalkeeper) – Likely to start in goal, and will be keen to impress against Belgium’s free-scoring attacking players

Tunisia Previous match

Tunisia 1-2 England (Sassi (p))

Tunisia suffered stoppage-time heartbreak in their opening game against England, as Harry Kane headed in his second of the match to snatch a 2-1 win. Earlier, Ferjani Sassi had equalised from a disputed penalty before Tunisia’s defensive formation frustrated England… until Kane’s late winner.

Tunisia Team Form

Tunisia football team are without a win in their last four matches following defeat to England in their first group game. That followed a 1-0 loss against Spain, while prior to that they drew 2-2 with both Portugal and Turkey – Anice Badri scoring in both games. Their most recent win was against Costa Rica in March – Wahbi Khazri scoring the only goal of the game.

Tunisia Predicted Starting Line up

Expected Line up: 4-5-1

Belgium eased past Panama in their opening game and will now take on a Tunisia side who, despite a spirited defensive effort, fell just short of holding England to a draw in their first game. With Romelu Lukaku in the goals, the Red Devils should have more than enough to make it two wins from two.

Belgium are unbeaten since a 2-0 defeat to Spain in September 2016 - a run of 20 games without defeat.