Belgium vs Slovakia Prediction: Goals expected in Frankfurt clash
Belgium get their Euro 2024 campaign underway with a Group E encounter with Slovakia in Frankfurt on Monday. Domenico Tedesco has done very well since taking over from Roberto Martinez, and steered Belgium to these finals with an unbeaten run in qualifying.
Without the likes of Eden Hazard, this feels like a tournament of fresh beginnings for a nation who still has the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku at their disposal. Meanwhile Slovakia will be underdogs heading into this group, but qualified only behind Portugal in an impressive campaign to make it here.
Team News
Tedesco has several concerns heading into this game, not least in defence. Jan Vertonghen and Arthur Theate are likely to miss this game, while Thomas Meunier was substituted against Luxembourg and is also likely to be ruled out. It means that Axel Witsel, Wout Faes and Maxim De Cuyper may start as a makeshift back three, with Jeremy Doku playing on the left hand side of midfield.
For Slovakia, Francesco Calzona’s main decision will come in how attacking to set up his 4-3-3 system. Newcastle’s Martin Dubravka will start in goal behind star defender Milan Skriniar, while former Norwich City man Ondrej Duda will play in midfield. Denis Vavro is a slight injury doubt due to a thigh problem, but should be able to play some part.
Belgium Predicted line-up: Casteels; Faes, Witsel, De Cuyper; Castagne, Mangala, Onana, Doku; Trossard, Lukaku, De Bruyne
Slovakia Predicted line-up: Dúbravka; Pekarík, Vavro, Škriniar, Hancko; Kucka, Lobotka, Duda; Schranz, Boženík, Haraslín
Belgium are priced at 12/25 to win this game, while Slovakia are the underdogs at 29/5. A draw can be backed at 17/5, over 2.5 goals is 77/100 and BTTS is 97/100.
Over 2.5 goals @ 77/100
I’m actually expecting a fairly open game in this one, given the current state of both teams. Belgium are down to the bare bones from a defensive perspective and are looking likely to play Manchester City’s Doku at left wing-back. Defensively, they could struggle, and Slovakia have been good in front of goal lately, scoring four goals against both San Marino and Wales.
Belgium also have the ability to score goals at will, with Romelu Lukaku, Leandro Trossard and of course, Kevin De Bruyne likely to make up a potent front three. They are going to be difficult for any team to stop, so I’m happy to back plenty of goals in their opening match.
Romelu Lukaku to score first @ 27/10
The big man for the big occasion? Lukaku has been a phenomenal striker for club and country, but his record for Belgium has been nothing short of sensational. He has scored a remarkable 85 goals in 115 international matches, and is playing in front of some wonderful creative players, including De Bruyne.
If Belgium go far into this competition, he could be a decent shout to win the Golden Boot given his record in front of goal. I think he will get up and running very quickly in this opening game.
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