Favourites Clash in Group I Opener
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The qualifying campaign for the 2020 European Championship begins this week and we have a cracking match to look forward to in Group I. This group features Belgium, Russia, Scotland, Cyprus, Kazakhstan and San Marino.
Belgium, Russia and Scotland are likely to be the teams battling it out for the top two qualifying spots and on the 21st March 2019, Belgium will host Russia at the King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels. This match gives both teams the chance to take an early lead over their rivals.
The hosts, Belgium, finished third at the 2018 World Cup and while that was a good achievement, they will be disappointed they did not make the final given the quality of the players in their team. They come into this game on the back of a heavy 5-2 defeat at the hands of Switzerland in the UEFA Nations League.
Despite failing to win their Nations League group, Belgium remain a difficult team to beat and they have lost only two of their last two of their last thirty-two matches in all competitions, including friendly games.
With the loss to Switzerland coupled by defeat against France in the 2018 World Cup, Belgium have remained undefeated in their last fourteen qualifying games, be it for the European Championship or World Cup.
Trends show they are undefeated in their last nineteen home qualifying matches, winning thirteen, including seven of the last eight.
Russia hosted the World Cup last summer and performed beyond expectations as they reached the quarter-final of the tournament, losing out to the eventual runners-up, Croatia.
Following the World Cup, Russia were drawn in UEFA Nations League Group B, League 2 and finished second behind Sweden. They won two of their four games, losing only one but struggled to score goals, registering only 4 across their four matches in the group.
Russia also lost a friendly 3-0 in Germany in November, which is a sign they are still some way below the top European nations. Trends show they have won only two of their last nine away games, be it competitive or friendly and have failed to score a single goal in three of the last four.
The Russian team last visited Belgium during 2014 World Cup qualifying and they lost the game 1-0. They will hope to make this match just as competitive.
Looking ahead to the team news and Belgium could without striker Romelu Lukaku who missed Manchester United’s match on the weekend against Wolves due to injury. Kevin De Bruyne and Axel Witsel are both injured, potentially leaving Belgium without three key players.
Russia will have an inexperienced international goalkeeper following the retirement of Igor Akinfeev. Artem Dzyuba is set to lead the line with Denis Cheryshev and Aleksandr Golovin the attacking options from midfield.
Belgium have a formidable record at home and despite the loss of a couple of big name players, they have enough talent in their squad to begin their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign with a win.
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