Belgium to dash Bosnia-Herzegovina’s play-off hopes

On Saturday evening, Bosnia-Herzegovina host Belgium in a crucial World Cup qualifier in Sarajevo, as the home side look to enhance their chances of a play-off spot.

Bosnia-Herzegovina will kick-off this game in second place in the group, which would be enough for a play-off spot. However, third-place Greece are just one point behind the home side and look to have easier games remaining in the group.

The home side have endured mixed fortunes of late in qualifying, but have suffered defeat just once in their last six qualifiers. Last time out, they recorded a comfortable 4-0 win over rock-bottom Gibraltar.

Their home form in qualifying has been a major positive, as they have recorded wins in seven of their last nine World Cup qualifiers on home soil. Bosnia-Herzegovina have also been prolific in those seven wins, scoring two or more goals in all seven victories.

Most of their recent home wins have come against minnows, but Belgium could be far tougher opponents. Roberto Martinez’s side were the first European team to confirm their place at next year’s World Cup.

The Red Devils main aim now will be to maintain their unbeaten record in recent qualification campaigns, as the visitors are now 18 games unbeaten in World Cup qualifiers, having recorded 15 wins.

Former Everton boss Martinez certainly has his team firing on all cylinders going forward, as they have also scored two or more goals in seven of their last eight qualifiers.

The visitors also have an impressive record on their travels in qualifiers, having recorded nine consecutive wins, while scoring two or more goals in all of those victories.

This clash is a massive one for the home side, but the visitors head into it as massive favourites to prevail. Forebet predicts that the Red Devils will record a victory and dent the home side’s hopes of joining them at Russia 2018.