Prediction: Belgium vs Greece

Verdict: Belgium to score in both halves

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Unibet

As we inch closer to this summer’s European Championships, Belgium will welcome Greece to Brussels on Thursday night for a friendly showdown.

Belgium

Starting with the hosts, while Belgium might have been shocked to have seen the Czech Republic snatch themselves a point back in March, The Red Devils bounced back in some style. Last seen landing themselves a rampant 8-0 romp against Belarus on home soil, Roberto Martínez’s men have collected 10 points from their opening three World Cup qualifying contests. Once again opening this summer’s delayed European Championships with a star-studded squad and tipped as one of the leading contenders, the one-time Wigan boss also saw his squad lay down a real marker in last year’s Nations League. Romping their way to the semi-finals after signing off their campaign with victories against the likes of England and Denmark, Belgium have lost just one of their last 13 matchups across all formats, a run that stems back to November 2018. Looking to keep up their momentum heading into the summer, it’s well worth keeping an eye out for the red-hot Romelu Lukaku. Enjoying a standout campaign, the Inter Milan ace recorded 37 goals for club and country this season.

Team News

Suffering a horror facial injury in Saturday’s Champions League final, Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne is really sweating over if he can feature this summer.

Likewise, both Axel Witsel and Liverpool striker Divock Origi will also miss out on Thursday night.

Greece

As for the visitors, while Greece might have been praised after the immediate impact of Head Coach John van’t Schip back in 2019, the former European Champions once again missed out on the chance to secure a major tournament return. Although The Whites might have stunned many across the continent as they opened their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 1-1 draw against Spain on foreign soil, they were left hugely disappointed to have missed a chance against Georgia last time out. Despite opening March’s meeting as a landslide pick to claim maximum points, they were largely outplayed in Thessaloniki and eventually had to settle for a similar 1-1 stalemate. Despite their recent improvements and enjoying an extended eight-match unbeaten run across all formats, Greece did suffer a 2-1 defeat when they faced off against Belgium in a World Cup qualifier back in 2017 and will certainly face another stern test in midweek.

Team News

The experienced trio of Kostas Fortounis, Kostas Stafylidis and Dimitris Siovas have all been left out of John van’t Schip’s Greece squad.

However, Arsenal defender Dinos Mavropanos has been included and looks set to get the nod out in Brussels.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two nations last faced off back in 2017, Belgium picked up a 2-1 win on foreign soil.
• The Red Devils have lost just one of their last 13 matchups across all formats, a run that stems back to November 2018.
• Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku recorded 37 goals for club and country this season.
• Despite drawing three of their last four matchups, Greece are unbeaten in their last eight matchups across all formats.
• Four of the last five meetings between Belgium and Greece have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

While Greece might be enjoying their brightest run of form in recent memory, they certainly face an overwhelming test on foreign soil this week. Lucky to have snatched a 1-1 draw off of Georgia when last seen back in March, Belgium should rightfully be smelling a golden chance to keep the mood in their camp at a high. Tipped by many as one of the standout picks heading into this summer’s European Championships, The Red Devils were also last seen landing a thumping 8-0 romp against Belarus on home soil. Spearheaded by a red-hot Romelu Lukaku, we’re backing Thursday’s hosts to extend on their remarkable unbeaten home record this week.

Verdict: Belgium to score in both halves

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Unibet