After seemingly being unable to capitalise on the ‘Golden Generation’, Belgium face their first tournament without some of the major stars that caused many to tip them for international success. However, hope is certainly not lost as the new crop of talent coming through is more than worthy of their own nickname and will be hoping to make a statement at this summer’s tournament in germany. They’ll kick start their preparations against a Montenegro side who sadly failed to qualify for the tournament but will be looking to raise a few eyebrows with a strong performance against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
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Belgium Vs Montenegro
Wednesday 5th June, 8:30pm
King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium
Live on Apple TV
Match Preview
After a disaster of a World Cup in 2022, in which Belgium exited in the group stage. Manager Roberto Martinez felt the time was right to step down from the role, The Belgian FA turned to former RB Leipzig manager Domenico Tedesco. Since his appointment in February 2023 the Belgian national team hasn’t lost a single game. However, their group for the Euro’s is packed with potential upsets, so good preparation is key and there’s lots to be learned from their pre-tournament friendlies. Expect to see a much more fluid set up from Tedesco’s team, mainly utilising a four back system but with what’s in front of them, changing frequently throughout the course of the match.
Ranking in the 96th percentile for all international teams on goals conceded per 90, Belgium are compact and organised, forcing opposition sides to the wings. They then force the play back to the centre back, allowing the Belgium defence to step up and put their press into action. In the attacking phase, Tedesco has implemented a much more direct style compared to Martinez’s possession based approach. They only rank in the 36th percentile of passes per game, a testament to their attacking efficiency. Wingers are encouraged to occupy half spaces in the opposition defence, allowing full backs to push up and overload opponents. They push high in possession to allow their talented defenders time on the ball to find passes and turn defence into attack in the blink of an eye with lightning fast passing. This is what you can expect to see on Wednesday as Belgium look to perfect their system and solidify their starting XI before the start of Euro 2024.
Montenegro on the other hand will have the freedom of the park, with no pressure and faced only with the decision of where to spend their summer holidays. They will take the game to Belgium with the aim of giving them a run for their money and putting doubt into their mind for a major tournament. Currently ranked at 70th in the world by FIFA, the expectations on Montenegro are minimal, meaning anything other than a convincing loss to one of the world’s top teams will seem like a victory. But they are certainly not to be underestimated. With three wins in their last four games, they are high on confidence and will not go into this game resigned to defeat. In their squad they have players of the highest European calibre including La Liga winner and Atletico de Madrid captain Stefan Savic. Their strike force also contains Olympiakos’ Conference League winner Stefan Jovetic, who notably played for Man City, Inter and Monaco.
Belgium Vs Montenegro odds
Belgium are the clear favourites going into this one despite the lowered stakes. They currently sit at 1.29 for the win. A draw gets you odds of 4.50 and a Montenegro win is at 8.00.
Belgium Vs Montenegro Betting Tips
*Odds are correct at time of publication and subject to change.
Don’t Luk Back in Anger
Belgium look likely to win this one in convincing fashion. And their front man on the night is likely to be Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku, so it makes sense that he would get on the scoresheet. Belgium to win and score 2.5+ goals with Lukaku to score anytime is at 2.50
Prem Connection
However if you think Lukaku’s playing time will affect his performance or that the goals will come from elsewhere, the odds for some of the Premier League’s biggest stars are;
Kevin De Bruyne – 2.63
Leandro Trossard – 2.63
Jeremy Doku – 3.25
Monten to climb
But if you’re backing a shock performance from Montenegro over a casual Belgium side that are looking ahead to Euro 2024. Montenegro to win with over 1.5 goals and Nikola Krstovic to score is at 15.00.
Belgium Team News
Predicted Lineup (4-3-3) Sels; Theate, Vertonghen, Debast, Castagne; Tielemans, A.Onana, O.Mangala; Doku, Lukaku, Trossard.
Montenegro Team News
Predicted LIneup (4-2-3-1) Sarkic; Vukcevic, Dreskovic, Vukcevic; Jankovic, Bakic; Jovovic, Jovetic, Camaj; Mugosa.
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