Belgium vs Austria: Back Red Devils to claim Euro 2024 qualifying win
- Sergiu Baltuta
- 15 June 2023
Belgium and Austria will meet on Saturday night in Brussels in a game that could go a long way towards determining which side will top Group F in the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
Both teams have perfect records after their games in March, although it is to be noted that Belgium have only played once. Looking at the group, only Sweden pose a realistic threat to these two, with Estonia and Azerbaijan likely being too weak.
Belgium haven't really had any problems in qualifiers since the 2014 World Cup campaign, but they have let their fans down in the major tournaments. Only in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where they reached the semi-finals, did the Red Devils meet expectations.
Belgium are currently going through a transition period with new manager Domenico Tedesco, while it's worth noting that only a handful of the old guard remain. Therefore expect plenty of younger players on the pitch this weekend.
They have started this qualifying campaign well though beating Sweden 3-0 away, while Tedesco's reign also included a 3-2 friendly win in Germany.
Kevin De Bruyne, who suffered an injury in the Champions League final, is not in the squad that will face Austria and Estonia this month. Besides the retired Eden Hazard, Toby Alderweireld and Axel Witsel, players like Thomas Meunier and Dries Mertens, as well as younger players such as Amadou Onana, Charles De Ketelaere and Romeo Lavia are also not part of Belgium's squad.
Nevertheless, Belgium still have plenty of star names including Thibaut Courtois, Jan Vertonghen, Youri Tielemans, Yannick Carrasco, Leander Dendoncker, Alexis Saelemaekers, Romelu Lukaku, Lois Openda, Michy Batshuayi and Jeremy Doku. All should be present.
Austria have not qualified for the World Cup since 1998, but they have played in three of the last four editions of the European Championships. They are aiming to secure their third consecutive presence in the Euros finals and they have started well, although it's worth noting that Ralf Rangnick's men have faced the two weakest teams in the group, both at home.
Austria beat Azerbaijan 4-1 and then had to battle to a 2-1 win against Estonia in March. The Baltic side opened the scoring, with the Austrian winner only coming in the 88th minute. Despite leading the group, it will likely be how they perform in their June fixtures which will determine their fate. Considering they conceded against the two weakest sides, Belgium will fancy their chances of scoring.
Suggested bet:
Austria to keep a clean sheet - No
Rangnick's squad seems solid enough and have a good chance against Belgium and Sweden, especially as the second game will be played in Vienna. David Alaba, Marcel Sabitzer, Christoph Baumgartner, Konrad Laimer, Xaver Schlager, Marko Arnautovic, Michael Gregoritsch and Stefan Posch are the main players likely to feature. Only Stefan Lainer, Christopher Trimmel and Andreas Ulmer will be unavailable.
Belgium and Austria faced each other in the qualifiers for Euro '80 and Euro 2012. In 1979, the sides drew twice while in the latter campaign, the first match ended 4-4 and the second resulted in a Belgian win. They have not played each other since, but Austria have the head-to-head edge, winning six times to Belgium's two.
Despite this, Belgium are searching for their 17th straight win in European Championship qualifiers and we expect them to get it here.
Suggested bet:
Belgium to win
