Belgium vs Slovakia Prediction & Betting Tips (17 June)

Belgium returns to the stage this evening and hopes not to relive the same ordeal as during the World Cup in Qatar, marked by elimination in the group stage at the expense of two semi-finalists, Morocco and Croatia. As a reminder, the Red Devils have entered a new era with the abandonment of football for Eden Hazard and certain other executives who have bowed out. This Belgian selection needs a benchmark tournament and to win a first major title in order to leave its mark on European and world football. Casually, since the elimination of the World Cup, the Belgians have not lost a single match, including during the qualifiers with an excellent record of six victories and two draws. On the last day, the semi-finalist of the 2018 World Cup crushed Azerbaijan 5-0 and consolidated its first place ahead of Austria. Last March, Belgium drew 2 friendly matches played in Ireland 0-0 and England 2-2. At the beginning of June, the Red Devils won a hard-fought preparation match against Montenegro 2-0 before following up against Luxembourg last weekend 3-0.

Slovakia is starting to become a regular at the European Championship with a 3rd successive participation after the 2016 campaign in France eliminated in the 1/8th final and that of 2020 played in 2021 where it was eliminated in the group stage. It is clear that this qualification for Germany, the Slovaks did not steal it from anyone by finishing, behind the indecent Portuguese selection, in 2nd place with 22 points grabbed out of 30 possible. They only conceded two losses in these qualifiers and each time they were conceded against the untouchable Portugal following honorable performances 0-1 and 3-2. At the last meeting, Slovakia performed less well in two friendly matches with a defeat suffered at home against Austria 0-2 and a draw in Norway 1-1. The team regained some confidence by winning its two preparation matches against San Marino 4-0 and a second against Wales 4-0.

The biggest surprise on the list drawn up by the Belgian coach comes from the absence of Thibaut Courtois. The Real Madrid goalkeeper almost had a blank season due to an injury but he was indeed available for this Euro. We also note the non-calls of midfielder Vanaken (Club Bruges, 5 goals in 23 sel) and winger Saelemaekers (Bologna, 1 goal in 12 sel). On the other hand, the experienced defender Witsel (Atlético Madrid, 131 sel) is making his comeback with the Red Devils after a long absence. He comes to strengthen a sector which is not overflowing with quality, especially since full-back Thomas Meunier injured his thigh during the match against Luxembourg. If he is on the trip to Germany, the former Parisian is very uncertain for this first match. The middle and the attack are better provided on paper. We find there in particular the essential De Bruyne (Manchester City, 27 goals and 50 assists in 101 sel) and Lukaku (Roma, 85 goals in 115 sel). Offensively, choices will have to be made with the presence of the excellent Carrasco (Al-Shabab, 11 goals in 74 games), Trossard (Arsenal, 9 goals in 34 games), Doku (Manchester City, 2 goals in 22 games) and Openda ( Leipzig, 2 goals in 17 seasons).

The latter did not even play during the last meeting. Romelu Lukaku finished top scorer in the Euro qualifiers with 14 goals and he even scored twice against Luxembourg last week. Retired last June, playmaker Hamsik (26 goals in 138 appearances) obviously left a big void in Slovakia. Otherwise, the group does not deliver any surprises. Despite a very delicate season, senior defender Skriniar (PSG, 68 sel) is very present. This is also the case of goalkeeper Dubravka (Newcastle, 43 sel), defenders Gyömber (Salernitana, 39 sel) and Hancko (Feyenoord, 38 sel), midfielders Lobotka (Naples, 55 sel) and Duda (Hellas Verona, 75 sel) as well as attackers Haraslin (Sparta Prague, 6 goals in 3+ sel) and Bozenik (Boavista, 7 goals in 40 sel) who also scored against Wales last weekend. Veterans Pekarik (37 years old, Hertha Berlin, 127 selections) and Kucka (37 years old, Slovan Bratislava, 107 selections, 14 goals) were also called up.