Belgium vs Russia
Euro 2020 pits together the nation ranked number one in the world against the hosts of the last World Cup.
It’s also an immediate reunion for two countries who were in the same qualifying group for this tournament.
Few expect Russia to reach the quarter-finals this time around, yet under the combative Stanislav Cherchesov can cause any side problems on their day.
By contrast, many feel Belgium can at least match their progress from three summers ago which saw them reach the last four.
That means all the expectations are on the Belgians ahead of this clash in Saint Petersburg.
Talking Points
It’s not that straightforward, however.
The fact two of their Group B matches are on home soil is a massive boost for Russia, who created so many special moments against the odds at the last World Cup when they were only a penalty shoot-out away from reaching the last four.
In Artem Dzyuba they have a genuine hero, although fans of a Spartak Moscow allegiance have never forgiven him for joining rivals Zenit St Petersburg for his club football.
Their overall strength is in central midfield where Cherchesov has several defensive, box-to-box and playmaker options. He has slimmer pickings out wide, mind, with neither Andrei Mostovoy, nor former Chelsea man Yuri Zhirkov, now 38, among the options even though both featured sporadically during the club season.
Realistically, the majority of Euro 2020 highlights in this contest are expected to come from Belgium, even if the jury is very much out on coach Roberto Martinez with this SBOTOP writer.
Certainly, I do not believe he is of the sufficient calibre to lead the country’s ‘golden generation’ to glory, yet how wonderful a story it would be to be proved wrong.
The qualification campaign boded well.
Ten wins out of 10. Forty goals scored, three conceded, all in all a pretty easy ride in a group where Russia and Scotland were their main opponents.
The Belgian squad may be packed with attacking flair but have an ageing defence and their formation rarely seems to change – something more experienced coaches could capitalise on in the latter stages.
Having said that, the draw potentially suits them and they could avoid a big-hitter until the last four.
Newly crowned footballer of the year, Kevin De Bruyne, will be fit to participate in the tournament but is unlikely to be risked in this one, according to Martínez.
Held by Greece in their final warm-up match, once De Bruyne and Eden Hazard are back, possibly to be joined by Axel Witsel, who is yet to recover from a long-term Achilles tendon injury, Belgium could be quite the entertainers,
But can they win it?
History
These two nations had not met until 1996, since when they have met seven times and the Belgians have yet to taste defeat.
That clash in 96 was a friendly which ended goalless.
When they next met six years on it was at the group stages of the 2002 World Cup when captain Marc Wilmots netted the winner in a 3-2 Belgium success.
They also met in the group stages of the 2014 World Cup when Belgium again triumphed, this time thanks to a solitary late goal from Divock Origi.
Of course, they were in the same qualifying group for this tournament and Belgium won both encounters home and away.
Youri Tielemans and Hazard fired them to a 3-1 success in Brussels with Denis Cheryshev replying for Russia.
Eight months later in St Petersburg it was a similar outcome with Hazard again on target twice as Belgium came out on top 4-1.
His brother Thorgan and Romelu Lukaku grabbed the others with Georgi Dzhikiya pulling back a consolation for Russia.
Overall, Belgium have five wins in their seven meetings with a further two draws.
Betting Tip
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Belgium vs Russia | Belgium First Half Asian Handicap -0.50 @ 2.36 |
| June 13, 03:00 (GMT+8) |
The Euro 2020 betting odds back Belgium every step of the way.
You can back the country which claimed third place at the last World Cup 1X2 @ 1.71 or Asian Handicap -1.00 @ 2.28.
Russia are much further adrift with both 1X2 @ 4.70 or Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 2.26.
The draw is on offer @ 3.55.
If you expect goals on Saturday night, how about over 2.25 goals @ 1.82, over 2.50 @ 2.09, over 2.75 @ 2.36 and total goal 4-6 @ 3.95.
If Belgium repeat either scoreline from their qualifying meetings – 3-1 and 4-1 wins respectively – the odds are @ 13.50 and 36.00.
I am going to go for a hard-fought Belgium win and will plump for them to take a first-half lead.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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