Prediction: Belgium vs Sweden

Verdict: Belgium win

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Already wrapping up their ticket for next year’s European Championships, Belgium will welcome Sweden to the King Baudouin Stadium on Monday night.

Belgium

Starting with the hosts, marking their return to EURO 24 qualifying duties in midweek with another action-packed display, Belgium should find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Eventually claiming a 3-2 victory away at Austria, the Red Devils have cruised their way to a top-two finish in Group F without breaking much of a sweat. Continuing to impress since appointing new boss Domenico Tedesco earlier in the year, the European heavyweights will simply be looking to make another statement of intent here. In fact, signing off September’s international break with a routine 5-0 romp at home against Estonia, the one-time Schalke boss has seen his side win each of their last four qualifying appearances by an aggregate score of 12-2. Likewise, putting 16 points on the board from their six Group F showdowns this year, Belgium have continued to gain a reputation for their free-scoring performances in the final third. It is worth highlighting, Monday’s hosts have notched 19 strikes in their previous seven appearances across all formats.

Team News

Shown a second-half red card against Austria over the weekend, Belgium will be unable to call upon Everton midfield Amadou Onana due to a one-match suspension. Aston Villa’s Youri Tielemans could replace Onana at the heart of Tedesco’s midfield.

Once again finding the net in Group F duties a few days ago and now remarkably notching 10 goals in his previous nine appearances for club and country, Roma loanee Romelu Lukaku will spearhead Belgium’s charge on Monday night.

Sweden

As for the visitors, while Sweden might have made a crucial return to winning ways last week, Janne Andersson’s side know that they still face a major uphill battle in their bid to secure a top-two finish in Group F. Despite eventually claiming a routine 3-1 romp at home against Moldova in a friendly contest, the Yellows have struggled to find any kind of stability during this year’s qualifying adventure. Putting just six points on the board from a possible 15 and coming under plenty of scrutiny, Andersson will also have a mounting headache over his side’s extended defensive issues. Facing what is a must-win showdown on Monday night, Sweden should also be concerned by a nightmare record against the Red Devils. Hit with a 3-0 drumming when they welcomed Belgium to Solna for their reverse Group F meeting back on March 24th, they have lost each of their last four battles by an aggregate score of 8-1.

Team News

In what is a major blow for Sweden this week, Andersson’s men will be unable to call upon attacking talisman and Newcastle star Alexander Isak when they travel to Belgium on Monday night. However, handed a rest against Moldova last week, Sporting Lisbon ace Viktor Gyokeres will be handed a full recall here.

The Premier League-based duo of Tottenham winger Dejan Kulusevski and Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof will both feature in Brussels. Likewise, Aston Villa shot-stopper Robin Olsen will return between the sticks.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Belgium and Sweden met for their reverse Group F meeting back on March 24th, the Red Devils claimed a 3-0 romp in Solna.
• Likewise, Belgium have won each of their last four showdowns against Sweden by an aggregate score of 8-1.
• Roma striker Romelu Lukaku has bagged 10 goals in just his last nine appearances for club and country.
• Sweden have managed to collect just six points from a possible 15 during this year’s EURO 24 qualifying campaign.
• The Yellows have lost seven of their previous 10 showdowns on foreign soil.

Conclusion

Wrapping up their spot for next year’s European Championships with an action-packed 3-2 win away at Austria over the weekend, Belgium will simply be looking to lay down another marker here. Continuing to shine during this year’s qualifying adventure and really gaining a reputation for their clinical performances in the final third, Monday’s hosts should find the mood in their camp at a real high. Storming their way to a routine 3-0 victory when they met Sweden for their reverse Group F showdown back on March 24th, it is also worth highlighting that Belgium have won all of their previous four meetings by an aggregate score of 8-1.

Verdict: Belgium win

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Olympusbet