Verdict: HT/FT Home Win
Best Odds: 5/4
Bookmaker: Bet365
Belgium national set-up will be keen to get back to winning ways after back-to-back stalemates as Red Devils prepare to face Czech Republic in an international friendly match on Monday.
Belgium
Pitted against the likes of Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Estonia and Gibraltar, Belgium have been installed the firm favourites to top Group H in the 2018 World Cup qualifying. The Red Devils have had a perfect opening to their qualifying campaign with four wins on the trot prior to match against Greece earlier in March. Roberto Martinez’s men struggled to get past Greece on home soil and were even forced to chase the result after the 46th-minute goal from in-form Benfica striker Kostas Mitroglu. It was thanks to a late strike from Everton forward Romelu Lukaku that Belgians managed to salvage the point and preserve the two-point gap in front of Greece in first place. The forthcoming clash against the Czech Republic will be a good chance for Martinez’s men to get back to winnings ways after drawing three of their last four matches and to make a perfect introduction to a crucial qualifier against Estonia next weekend. Chelsea star Eden Hazard will be particularly keen to shine after being rewarded with the captaincy.
Team News
Previous Belgium captain Vincent Kompany returns to fitness and is back with the squad.
Chelsea outcast Michy Batshuayi also made the cut, whereas Roberto Martinez served the call to Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke as well.
Czech Republic
Karel Jarolim’s men face a daunting task of finishing among the top two sides in 2018 World Cup Qualifying Group C. Czech Republic are faced to fight against the likes of Germany, Northern Ireland and Norway, whereas Azerbaijan and San Marino complete the pack. Currently sitting in third place with 8 points to their name after five rounds, Czech Republic will need to step up their efforts if they want to get in line for the second-place finish. Jarolim’s charges are coming off from a morale-boosting 6-0 win at San Marino and Czech Republic will be hoping to keep the momentum going and extend the unbeaten run to six matches. A positive result could do wonders to team’s morale ahead of the key battle in Oslo against Norway next week. Czech Republic arrived in Belgium on Friday where the team will stay for a couple of days after the game before going straight to Norway.
Team News
Viktoria Plzen midfielder Jan Kopic is the late addition to the squad. The 26-year-old footballer returns to the national team as Jarolim decided to give him a new chance to shine.
Jakub Jugas, Ondrej Celustka and Petr Mares are all new names on the squad list, whereas the only one missing in Josef Sural who is unavailable through injury.
Key Factors to Consider
- Belgium drew 3 of their last 4 matches in all competitions
- Red Devils failed to keep a clean sheet in last four occasions
- Czech Republic are unbeaten in last five matches across competitions
- Belgium lost only 2 of their last 15 home matches
- Czech Republic have three debutants lined up to feature against Belgium
Conclusion
Belgium boast a more competitive squad, packed with top-class individual quality. Roberto Martinez will be keen to record a home win ahead of crucial qualifiers and we do believe hosts will have no major issues winning the match.
Verdict: HT/FT Home Win
Best Odds: 5/4
Bookmaker: Bet365
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