Scotland V Belgium
Monday, 9th September 2019 – 19:45 Kick-Off
UEFA Euro 2020 Qualification
Pick: Belgium & Over 2.5 Goals
Odds: 13/8
Bookmaker: PaddyPower
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61/10 | 13/4 | 9/20 |
* (All betting odds displayed were correct as of 7th September 2019 at 10:15)
Preview: If Scotland were in must-win territory before their previous encounter, they certainly are now. The Scots desperately require points here if they are to avoid falling further behind the top two, but that feels a huge ask up against the strongest team in their section. Belgium are the latest visitors to Hampden Park, seeking a sixth consecutive win in Group I.
UEFA Euro 2020 Qualification Betting – 22Bet
Scotland Preview – On the brink of missing another major tournament?
It is difficult to imagine quite how Scotland can recover in Group I following their latest setback, losing at home to Russia (1-2) in a game they seriously needed to win but certainly could not afford to be losing. That contest had begun brightly enough when John McGinn pounced on a goalkeeping mishap to put the Scots 1-0 up with barely ten minutes played, but the hosts were a clear second best thereafter and could have no complaints with the final scoreline.
Now, if they were unable to secure a positive outcome versus Russia, who are ranked 46 in the world, then what hope is there of Scotland doing so against a Belgium side ranked number one? Their opponents are a class act; not only are they top of the group with a flawless record of five wins from five, they were also comfortable 4-0 winners on a visit to Hampden Park as recently as September of last year. Ominous stuff, it really is.
Steve Clarke’s team have now registered only six points from a possible fifteen during this campaign, with even the victories against Cyprus (2-1) and San Marino (0-2) being anything but convincing. Scotland did go unbeaten in 2018 World Cup qualifying as hosts (W3 D2), something I felt warranted a fair amount of respect and consideration prior to them facing Russia, but the subsequent performance made it crystal clear that this team requires a lot of improvement before it can genuinely be a match for the stronger sides.
Belgium Preview – Perfect Belgians unlikely to show any mercy?
While it might be true that many would have envisaged a much bigger scoreline, the fact of the matter is Belgium eased to their fifth consecutive win in Group I with a 4-0 victory over San Marino on Friday. There was almost a small shock caused when, with half-time approaching, the teams were still locked at 0-0 – but up stepped Michy Batshuayi to convert a penalty and restore some normality to proceedings. They would later add three more through Dries Mertens, Nacer Chadli and another Batshuayi strike.
Glancing at the group table and it seems apparent to all that Belgium are essentially home and hosed as far as securing qualification is concerned, with the gap between themselves and the team in third place now eight points. The Red Devils are, however, under a little bit of pressure from Russia in the battle to see who can top the group, and that should ensure the levels of desire and hunger remain healthy in the Belgian camp.
Coach Roberto Martinez decided to rest Romelu Lukaku against San Marino, but the Inter Milan forward – who has a phenomenal scoring record at international level, locating the back of the net 48 times in 81 appearances – will surely return to spearhead the attack here. Meanwhile a midfield comprising of Kevin De Bruyne and Youri Tielemans, the pair from the Premier League who have been in inspired form in the early stages of this season, really should have too much class and quality in that middle of the park.
Scotland V Belgium Key Facts:
- Scotland have won only two of their five games in Group I (W2 L3) and are six points behind second placed Russia.
- Belgium boast a perfect record (W5) in Group I, winning four of their five group games without conceding and all by at least a two-goal margin.
- These teams met almost a year to the day ago, also at Hampden Park: Belgium secured a comprehensive 4-0 victory on that occasion.
Betting Summary
We have well and truly entered miracle territory as far as Scotland and qualification goes. The 2-1 loss at home to Russia means they now need to find six points on the same opposition if they are to somehow haul themselves back into contention. The simple fact of the matter is, Scotland need a result here, against the best team in their section. But the Scots were so poor last time out, in what was their fifth loss in the last eight games (W3 L5).
They have made it look easy thus far. Belgium were never likely to relinquish any points in their latest outing in San Marino but that routine win (4-0) maintained their perfect record in this qualifying campaign, winning all of their fixtures by a combined aggregate of 15-1. Russia are the only team to have even scored past them, while only twice have The Red Devils been prevented from winning in their past twelve encounters (W10 D1 L1).
As disappointing as the Scotland performance was a few days earlier, it wouldn’t be huge surprise were they to produce a better showing. Yet their limited capabilities were there for all to see. Belgium are a behemoth on the international stage these days and are unlikely to be stopped here – four of their five Group I victories were in games that contained a minimum of three match goals, all of which were scored almost exclusively by them bar one.
