Euro 2024: Belgium v Slovakia - Match Preview & Odds
Here at betting.bet we will preview this group stage fixture, providing the latest team news, betting tips and match insights as well as the best pre-match odds and free bet offers
Belgium and Slovakia meet in Frankfurt on Monday in their opening game of Euro 2024. This fixture kicks off just a few hours after Romania and Ukraine get Group E underway in Munich. Here at betting.bet we will preview this group stage fixture, providing the latest team news, betting tips and match insights as well as the best pre-match odds and free bet offers from our partners at BetVictor.
Form
Belgium pipped Austria to top spot in their qualification group, remaining unbeaten throughout their eight matches. The Red Devils won six and drew two of their eight group games, scoring 22 goals and conceding just four.
The Belgians warmed up for Euro 2024 with back-to-back wins last week against Montenegro (2-0) and Luxembourg (3-0) and are now unbeaten in fifteen matches since suffering a shock defeat against Morocco at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Slovakia also impressed in qualification, finishing second in their group behind Portugal but well clear of the likes of Luxembourg, Iceland and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Like Belgium, Slovakia were comfortable winners of both matches played last week, earning successive 4-0 wins in friendlies against San Marino and Wales.
Team News
The major talking point when Belgium’s squad was announced was the omission of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The Real Madrid stopper was excellent in the UEFA Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund but that was just his fifth game of the season in all competitions due to injuries to both knees.
Ahead of Monday’s fixture Thomas Meunier could join fellow defenders Jan Vertonghen and Arthur Theate on the sidelines for Belgium. Meanwhile, in attack it remains to be seen just how Domenico Tedesco fits an embarrassment of riches into his starting XI.
Slovakia’s Denis Vavro is also a minor doubt for Monday’s fixture. If passed fit, the FC Copenhagen defender will line up at the heart of the Slovakian defence alongside captain Milan Skriniar.
Predicted Line Ups
Belgium: Casteels, Faes, Witsel, De Cuyper, Castagne, Onana, Mangala, Doku, De Bruyne, Trossard, Lukaku
Slovakia: Dubravka, Pekarik, Davro, Skriniar, Hancko, Lobotka, Kucka, Duda, Suslov, Bozenik, Haraslin
Betting Tips
Belgium have been one of the most in-form nations in Europe over the past couple of years and will be red-hot favourites to win in Frankfurt on Monday. Belgium are currently priced at 4/9 to win but we feel there is better value in a couple of alternative markets. Belgium to win and over 3.5 match goals is available at 13/5 whilst the Belgians look good value at 6/5 to be leading at half-time and full-time.
Romelu Lukaku is the outstanding selection in any of Monday’s goalscorer markets. Lukaku smashed the record for goals scored in a European Championships qualifying campaign as he scored 14 times in Belgium’s ten matches and is amongst the favourites to win the Golden Boot. The 31-year-old has amassed an astonishing 85 international goals in 115 appearances for Belgium and below are some of the markets where Lukaku should be given some real consideration.
| Romelu Lukaku to score | Odds |
|---|---|
| To score at any time | 8/11 |
| First goalscorer | 13/5 |
| Last goalscorer | 13/5 |
| To score 2 or more | 4/1 |
| To score a hat-trick | 12/1 |
| To score in both halves | 13/2 |
BetVictor’s ‘Goal Assist Double’ market will prove very popular on Monday with Romelu Lukaku to score a goal assisted by Kevin de Bruyne particularly appealing at 29/10.
Match Odds
| Belgium | Draw | Slovakia |
|---|---|---|
| 4/9 | 10/3 | 11/2 |
Predicted Match Result: Belgium 4-0 Slovakia (14/1)
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