Belgium Vs Cyprus Betting Tips: Home & Under 4.5 – 19 November 2019

Cyprus no threat to Belgian perfectionists?

Leander Dendoncker /Belgium©imago images / Panoramic International18.11.2019

Belgium V Cyprus

Tuesday 19 November, 2019 – 19:45 Kick-Off
UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying
Pick: Belgium & Under 4.5 Goals
Odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Coral
UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying Betting – 22Bet

Preview: Comfortably the best team in Group I, all that remains now for Belgium is maintaining a perfect record. Another expected win on Tuesday, at home to Cyprus, would earn them a flawless qualifying campaign after winning all nine qualifiers prior. Surely there won’t be a surprise in store at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels?

 

Belgium Preview – Another Devlish performance imminent?

Group I Results: Russia 3-1 (H), Cyprus 0-2 (A), Kazakhstan 3-0 (H), Scotland 3-0 (H), San Marino 0-4 (A), Scotland 0-4 (A), San Marino 9-0 (H), Kazakhstan 0-2 (A), Russia 1-4 (A)

Perhaps the most least surprising aspect of Euro 2020 qualifying has been the ease with which Belgium (1st – W9 D0 L0, GF34 GA2), who continue to hold the number one slot in the latest FIFA Rankings, have negotiated Group I. Nine wins from nine matches played, all by at least a two goal margin. Just two goals conceded, both of which were to the runners-up, Russia. All this whilst scoring more frequently (34 in total) than any other nation in the competition.

Formidable stuff from Roberto Martinez’s team. Their form heading into the finals is looking incredibly strong, which is an ominous sign for their rivals. All of the above should be reason enough for The Red Devils to show no complacency in this final group fixture, seeking to maintain the same high standards which has seen them dominate this group from start to finish. Cruising to a 4-1 victory in Russia on Saturday merely another example of this.

Belgium have now beaten the second best team in their section twice, and by an aggregate of 7-2. So the prospect of them encountering much resistance from Cyprus, who they eased to a 2-0 victory against when the sides met in Nicosia in March, does seem speculative. Martinez could decide to mix up his starting XI, however such is the almost unrivalled depth to this Belgian squad that it will still be a high-class side at kick-off regardless.

 

Thorgan Hazard Anytime Scorer
21/10

Bet365

 

Cyprus Preview – How damaging was the Scotland loss?

Group I Results: San Marino 5-0 (H), Belgium 0-2 (H), Scotland 2-1 (A), Russia 1-0 (A), Kazakhstan 1-1 (H), San Marino 0-4 (A), Kazakhstan 1-2 (A), Russia 0-5 (H), Scotland 1-2 (H)

Failing to capitalise on the opportunity to lock in a third-place finish in Group I, all that remains now for Cyprus (4th – W3 D1 L5, GF14 GA14) is the unenviable task of taking on the class act of the group – a Belgium side that has been immaculate thus far and would ease to a 2-0 victory when these sides encountered one another in Nicosia back in March. Very few are holding out much hope of them doing much, so can the visitors spring what would be a huge surprise?

The simple answer is probably no. The Cypriots are fourth for good reason, because their only wins in this group have come against the two weakest opponents in Kazakhstan and San Marino (twice). Meetings with the three higher ranked countries – Belgium, Russia and Scotland – returned zero points, two goals scored (both versus Scotland) and twelve goals conceded.

Losing at home to Scotland on Saturday, and in turn squandering a glorious chance to finish third, could also have had a demoralising affect on the team. Particularly when coupled with the 5-0 scoreline inflicted on them by Russia the game before. Their best bet on them could be in keeping the scoring down – only three of their last nine away defeats were by a margin greater than one. Though one of them was to Belgium, losing an away World Cup qualifier 4-0 in 2017.

 

Belgium V Cyprus Key Facts:

  • Belgium have won all nine qualifying games in Group I, scoring more goals in the process (34) than any team on the continent.
  • Cyprus have only beaten Kazakhstan and San Marino in Euro 2020 Qualifying so far.
  • Nine of the ten previous meetings were won by Belgium, winning the last five without conceding including a 2-0 scoreline in Cyprus last March.

 

Betting Summary

The fact Belgium qualified a long time ago, and with several qualifying games to spare, is seemingly of no relevance to a side still very much obsessed with winning matches. Another victory on Tuesday would see The Red Devils celebrate perfect qualification, winning all nine group games prior – all by two clear goals; seven whilst keeping a clean sheet. Impressive stuff from one of the outright favourites for glory next summer.

I backed Cyprus to avoid defeat last time out versus Scotland and while perhaps unfortunate (they had a clear goal not given due to the absence of goalline technology), a 2-1 reverse was bitterly disappointing. This is a much taller order. On that note, the better teams in this section have simply proven too good for them, losing home and away to Russia and Scotland and scoring only against the latter.

Belgium & Under 4.5 Goals is the only bet which makes some sense that isn’t ridiculously short odds. Belgium have conceded two goals in nine qualifiers, so a clean sheet looks likely, but scored more than four goals in a match just once (at home to San Marino). Meanwhile, Cyprus typically lose by the odd goal, conceding five times in an away encounter on only one occasion in the past four years.