On September 6, 2024, Belgium will face Israel in a key UEFA Nations League match at the Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen, Hungary.
This encounter marks the beginning of the 2024/25 Nations League campaign for both teams, as they compete in League A Group 2 alongside France and Italy.
With Belgium aiming to assert their dominance and Israel seeking to make their mark, this match promises to be an exciting clash.
Match Preview
Belgium enters this match following a disappointing exit from the 2024 European Championship, where they were eliminated in the round of 16 by France.
In a tightly contested match, the Red Devils suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat due to an own goal in the closing minutes.
This loss has left Belgium with only one win in their last four fixtures, which includes a victory over Romania and a goalless draw against Ukraine, as well as an earlier loss to Slovakia.
Despite their recent struggles, Belgium boasts an impressive record in the Nations League.
They remain undefeated in four of their last five fixtures in the competition and have won seven of their eight home games.
Notably, they have scored two or more goals in seven of their last eight Nations League matches at home, highlighting their offensive prowess.
On the other hand, Israel comes into this match after a commanding 4-0 victory over Belarus in a friendly match.
This win marked only their second victory in their last seven matches across all competitions.
Their previous win was against Andorra during the European Championship qualifying campaign, but they have faced defeats against Iceland, Romania, Kosovo, and Hungary in recent fixtures.
Head to Head
Belgium has historically dominated their encounters with Israel, boasting a record of six wins and only one loss in their seven meetings.
Their last matchup ended with a 3-1 victory for Belgium, showcasing their ability to find the net against the Israeli defense. With such a favorable record, Belgium will be confident as they prepare for this match.
Team News
Belgium will be without their all-time top scorer Romelu Lukaku and experienced goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois due to injury.
However, the squad is still laden with talent, including the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, who will be pivotal in midfield.
The absence of Lukaku may impact their attacking dynamics, but Belgium has enough depth to compensate.
Israel will also be missing their star forward Eran Zahavi, who is their all-time leading scorer.
Despite this setback, the squad features several players who have gained experience playing in competitive leagues abroad, such as captain Eli Dasa and forward Manor Solomon. They will need to step up to challenge a strong Belgian side.
Prediction
Given Belgium’s strong historical performance against Israel and their impressive form in the Nations League, we predict a comfortable victory for the Red Devils.
With their attacking prowess and the ability to score multiple goals, Belgium is likely to secure a decisive win.
- Score Prediction: Belgium 3-0 Israel
Betting Tips
Belgium to Win: Betting on a Belgium victory is a logical choice given their strong track record against Israel and their home advantage.
Over 2.5 Goals: With Belgium’s attacking capabilities, placing a bet on over 2.5 total goals scored in the match seems prudent.
Both Teams to Score – No: Considering Israel’s struggles and Belgium’s defensive strength, betting against both teams scoring could yield favorable odds.
Kevin De Bruyne to Score Anytime: As a key player for Belgium, placing a bet on De Bruyne to score during the match could be a worthwhile consideration.