After a dreadful 2022 World Cup in which Belgium failed to make it out of the group stage, they will be looking to bounce back when their Euro 2024 campaign gets underway in Sweden. Under the guidance of new manager Domenico Tedesco, the Red Devils go in search of Euros qualification for a third successive time.
We’ve previewed their opening game against Sweden and picked out some of the best betting tips from the latest football odds. Browse all the sports betting markets or place an online bet of your own at Bet777.be – the home of the ultimate live betting experience.
Euro 2024: Sweden vs Belgium Preview
Last year’s World Cup was the first time Belgium failed to make the quarter-finals in four major tournaments. Some household names such as Eden Hazard and Toby Alderweireld have since retired, although there will be plenty of familiar faces in Sweden.
Tedesco will likely build his Belgium team around Kevin De Bruyne – the creative midfielder is among the best in the world. However, there were some huge question marks surrounding his poor performances in Qatar and it remains to be seen whether this Red Devils side can gel.
Sweden will also be looking to bounce back following their failure to qualify for the recent World Cup. They have fared much better on the European stage of late, qualifying for five of the last six tournaments including quarter-final and semi-final finishes.
The Swedes have an impressive record on home soil and Friends Arena will prove a tough place to visit for Belgium. These two nations have met twice since the turn of the millennium – in both the 2014 international friendly and 2016 Euros group stages, Belgium ran away winners with a clean sheet intact.
Sweden vs Belgium: Key Players
Sweden’s attack is a force to be reckoned with. The shock inclusion of Zlatan Ibrahimovic has only bolstered their options, with the 41-year-old potentially starting up front flanked by Alexander Isak and Dejan Kulusevski.
Isak will be key to Sweden’s plans for the next decade. The dynamic forward has the makings of a world-class centre-forward and is in fine form having netted three times in his last two appearances for Newcastle.
For Belgium, the main man is Romelu Lukaku. His fitness is paramount to their success. It’s all good and well having the creativity of De Bruyne in midfield, but if there is no central target to aim at, his efforts are largely wasted. The Belgians found this out the hard way in Qatar.
Euro 2024: Sweden vs Belgium Betting Tips
Draw and both to score – 4.15
Belgium will be 2.12 favourites heading to Sweden, with the hosts 3.47 underdogs. However, we think the teams look fairly evenly matched. Both are stronger in forward areas and we could see a fairly attacking tie play out.
Lukaku to score at any time – 2.50
Lukaku’s 68 goals in 104 caps rank him as Belgium’s most prolific goalscorer ever, with more than double the number of second-place Eden Hazard. The Inter Milan striker averages 0.65 goals per game for the Red Devils and he’ll be raring to go after struggling for minutes in Serie A this campaign. A nice little option to more than double your stake.
If you like the look of our tips for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifier, head to Bet777.be to place your bets.