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This Thursday’s UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier in Brussels is one of the standout fixtures over the international fortnight. It features two sides who made the last eight at the 2018 World Cup, with hosts Russia exiting at that stage on penalties while Belgium made it to the last four before suffering defeat against eventual winners France.
They are the top two seeds in Group I, which also includes Scotland. Belgium certainly will strongly expect to quality from this group with relative ease. They were though surprisingly hammered 5-2 by Switzerland in their final UEFA Nations League game so they will be keen to finally banish those memories as they return to action four months on from a tough night in Luzern.
Since surprising everyone at the 2018 World Cup, Russia have been brought back down to earth to some extent. They were beaten 3-0 in Germany and 2-0 in Sweden over the most recent international break so it’s hard to fancy them here but they had a reasonable Nations League campaign overall, with 7 points from their 4 fixtures.
Belgium’s golden generation is now an experienced international unit and they’ll be hungry to build on 3rd place at the World Cup by getting their hands on some silverware over the next 4 years. They’ve not lost at home since a friendly defeat to Spain in 2016, while their last competitive home defeat was way back in September 2010.
They are a side packed full of attacking talent and scored 16 goals in Russia last summer, more than any other side. They averaged 5.2 goals per home game during qualifying for that competition and they’ve won 8 of their last 10 competitive home games by a 2 goal margin or greater.
Russia over-achieved at their own World Cup and are likely to end up battling with Scotland and perhaps even Cyprus for 2nd place in this group. They’ve not played that many away games in recent years as they played a large number of home friendlies in preparation for that tournament but 4 of their last 6 road games have ended in defeat.
Overall, Belgium are much the stronger team and with home advantage, backing Belgium -1 Handicap looks good.
The Red Devils are the top dogs in Group I of the European Cup qualifiers, which has among others, Russia, the team they open with their qualification campaign on Thursday 21st March. This matrch will be among the top picks for the most entertaining matches in the qualifiers, with either side seeking a fast start. Belgium will however kick it off as the favorites and playing at home will give them the additional punch. The fact that their top striker Romelu Lukaku is enjoying a good run of form will further aid them, while having Eden Hazard in the team will further add to their prospects. Belgium have won 12 of their last 15 matches, losing two and drawing one. In 32 matches they have lost just two, signifying their place as top dogs in this game. They haven’t lose any of their last nine European Cup qualifying games. The last loss came in 2010 and it happens to be the last one in 13 home matches in the European Cup qualifiers. They have picked wins in each of the last four European Cup qualification matches, only losing one in 10 – to Wales. Russia, on the other hand, head to this game on the back of two losses – to Germany and Sweden – in a friendly matches and in a UEFA Nations League clash and just like Belgium, they have won each of the last four European Cup qualification matches, though their opponents can’t be compared to Belgium’s. In five meetings between the two, Russia have never picked a win, while Belgium have three.