Belgium v USA Predictions & Betting Odds – World Cup 2014

USA to give the Red Devils a tough battle

Belgium v USA
Belgium v USA

Belgium v USA World Cup 2014, 1st July Betting Preview

This should be a pretty interesting match up because there will be a contrast in style. The Belgians will knock it around with patience, while the USA will be far more direct in their approach. Which style will win out at the end of the day and move ahead to face the winner of Argentina v Switzerland?

Belgium v USA Betting Tips

The Red Devils haven’t looked to be quite the dark horse force that they were supposed to be. They haven’t flourished convincingly, but they have gotten the job done so far, winning all of their group games. Perhaps they will settle into the competition more and find fluency. This will be their second World Cup match against the USA, the previous one coming all the way back in 1930, the USA taking a 3-0 win in that match, but ever since then, all the form has been with Belgium in meetings.

The Red Devils have won all four meetings since, and have kept clean sheets in three of them. They have currently kept four clean sheets in their last six matches as well, so defensively they are very sound. Keeper Thibaut Courtois has still never lost a match when playing for Belgium. So the long odds of Belgium to win to nil at 2/1 may tempt punters. The Red Devils conceded just one goal in the group stage, helping them to win all three group stage matches for the first time in their history.

But they don’t look that powerful up front, so would look for late goals in the match from the Belgium. Their last six goals scored at the World Cup have all been in the last 20 minutes of play. Romelu Lukaku just hasn’t looked up to the task whatsoever, lacking a bit of effort. Eden Hazard looks to be better value as a 2/1 shot in the anytime goalscorer market for them.

The USA are back in the second round again, having reached this stage in each of their last four World Cup appearances. The USA are far more direct with their style of play, it is get up the pitch quickly and get the ball in the box. There i s a great work ethic there and they don’t give up on causes. A win over Ghana and a draw against Portugal gave them the points to make it through, losing their final group match against Germany. Only Iran had less average possession in the group stage than the USA managed.

Jurgen Klinsmann’s men only produced nine shots on target in their three group stage matches, becoming the only side to make it through to the knockouts in not having reached double figures in shots on target. Of big concern is the fact that they have shipped a goal in each of their last 16 matches against European opponents at the World Cup.

h2:Belgium v USA Betting Odds

Belgium Evens, Draw 5/2, USA 3/1

There is still great value running at Bwin in the First Goalscorer market. Place a successful wager on the market in any match and if that player goes on to score and second or a third in the match, then you will be paid out double or triple odds respectively.

Belgium v USA Predictions

Belgium are the better of the two sides, but they haven’t exploded into life yet. The USA will scrap and scrap for the ninety minutes, but as they showed against Portugal, defensively they are liable to let things slip and would back the Belgians, especially with their defence, to edge through this one.