WC - Qualification: Belarus vs. Belgium

[Malchus]

08.09.21 20:45
EUROPE: World Cup - Qualification

It's probably pointless to even talk about Belgium winning. But we can talk about how many goals they win by.
Belgium is the top of Group E, having won all matches so far, except for a one draw with the Czech Republic. In five matches they have managed to score 20 goals and concede only 4. Weaker teams they are beaten by a higher difference.
I'm also basing the game against Belarus on their first game in Belgium, when the Belgians practically didn't give them any chance. Ball possession 62% : 32%, total shots 21/4, shots on target 15/0, corner kicks 7/1, all in Belgium's favour. No wonder Belgium won 8-0. And they played with a changed lineup and, for example, Lukaku didn't even get into the game. He will not play in today's game either, he has a stop for two yellow cards, however Belgium has enough young players that they are progressively working into their team.

Belarus has played four games so far. They have 3 losses and one win against Estonia and their score is 6:14.Their team is one of the average European teams and they will have no chance against Belgium again.

A win by at least three is a must for Belgium (if Belgium wins by exactly three goals, the bet will be refunded). The young players will want to show their best and the game against a weak Belarus is a great opportunity for them.

Belgium: line-up from first match (30.3.2021) = Mignolet-Alderweireld-Denayer-Vertonghen-Hazard-Vanaken-Praet-Meunier-Doku-Trossard-Batshuayi.

Prediction:
Handicap: Belgium AH -3.0 @ 2.90 (local bookie)

 

[Malchus]

Prediction:
Handicap: Belgium AH -3.0 @ 2.90 (local bookie)

Belarus 0:1 Belgium

Prediction KO

Favoured Belgium continues to perform at 100%. They beat Belarus 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier. Dennis Praet scored the only goal in the first half. Unfortunately, it was not enough for our bet...

 

[RichieRich]

The first half was disappointing. The attackers made a lot of wrong and hasty decisions. For the second half, I think when Hazard came on, it was clear that the coach wanted to calm the team down and hold onto the lead instead of scoring more goals. Overall it is underwhelming from the reserves. Some of them were given the chance and they didn't take it seriously.

 

[Giovanni]

Casteels did two good saves and will be happy with his clean sheet.
Alderweireld/Boyata/Denayer had an easy match and will be happy too, just like Praet, Castagne and Saelmaekers who played great.
Tielemans was very precarious and Trossard had an off-day.
Batshuayi and Lukebakio disappointed.
Substitutes: with Hazard came obviously a lot of quality on the field. Benteke, Foket and Dendoncker didn't play long enough to make an impression.

Most important are the three points, but, all and all, I can't say I'm very happy with Belgium B's performance.