Belgium vs Russia, UEFA Euro 2020, Today Match Prediction

Belgium vs Russia Match Prediction & Analysis

Although Belgium have never won an international tournament, their current ranking of number 1 in the world shows that they will be a force to be reckoned with here.

This is virtually the same squad that reached the Quarter Finals at the 2016 Euros, where they were surprisingly beaten by Wales, but they will surely be all the wiser here.

They will certainly be favourites to top Group B, one which includes the two Nordic countries Denmark and Finland, who play each other a few hours earlier.

Russia will be vying for that 2nd position in the group and the team ranked 38th in the world are often more stubborn than their standing suggests.

The Russians reached the Quarter Finals of the World Cup in 2018 and will be aiming to build upon that here, although they couldn’t have been handed a trickier test in their opening game.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Belgium Preview

World Ranking: 1

Best Historical Finish at the Euros: Runners-up, 1980

Predicted Finish This Year: Semi-Finals

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Qualified quickest of any team in the competition with maximum points

     The World’s number one team have a whole host of stars

Reasons to be fearful:

     Kevin De Bruyne not fit to play due to facial injury

     Have underperformed at recent tournaments in the past

Belgium will be bidding to put previous disappointments behind them when they kick off their campaign here against Russia.

Aside from a runners-up finish back in 1980, the Belgians have never made it to the final four of the Euros despite all the quality they have at their disposal.

Many will bet that Roberto Martinez’s men will top the group, of course. Russia and Denmark are two good teams, but they shouldn’t be a match for the Belgians. 

Whether they can go all the way this time will likely depend on their ability to beat the likes of France and co. later in the tournament.

Star Man – Romelu Lukaku

Is Belgian’s top scorer at major tournaments, with seven goals in 15 appearances. He’s had a great season at Inter Milan too, scoring 30 goals.

Russia Preview

World Ranking: 38

Best Historical Finish at the Euros: Champions, 1960

Predicted Finish This Year: Round of 16

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Artem Dzyuba is a towering presence up front

     Have won three of their last six games

Reasons to be fearful:

     However, they’ve lost their last three against Belgium

     Haven’t gone past the group stage in last two tournaments

Russia are one of those teams who you can never write off and often play with a lot more stubbornness than their ranking would suggest.

The 2018 World Cup, held in Russia, proved that there is quality within this squad, and they will relish the opportunity to be one of the 11 hosts of this tournament, playing two of their three group games at their home country, including this one.

They had a positive qualifying campaign, winning eight of their 10 games, although they have gone off the boil somewhat of late.

Can they defy the odds and get off to a surprising start here?

Star Man – Artem Dzyuba 

The 6ft 6in talisman is a beast up front, and is one goal short of equalling the Russian scoring record of 30.