Bosnia vs Belgium – Match Preview – With Belgium already qualified as winners of Group H, all eyes are on Bosnia as the top two meet in a crucial game.
With two games to spare, Belgium have booked their place in Russia next summer. Dropping only two points all campaign, they have romped to the top of the group, and have placed themselves as one of the favourites for next year’s competition. With 32 goals scored and only three conceded in eight matches, they’re averaging four goals a game, which is largely down to the form of Romelu Lukaku.
The Manchester United man has ten goals so far in qualifying, sitting him third in the leader board. The Belgium striker has averaged a goal every 61 minutes, which is again the third best record in the qualifying rankings. Lukaku has also been producing this form at club level as well, netting seven goals in seven games for his new employers. Whilst Roberto Martinez may opt to rest his star striker, Lukaku will be chomping at the bit to add more goals to his impressive tally.
Lukaku has been in great form and may be on the bench as Belgium have already qualified Photo Credit: skysports.com
For Bosnia, this is a huge match. They currently occupy second place, which would earn them a play off spot. With only two games left to play, they have Greece breathing down their necks, who are just a point behind them. Cyprus, who are also in the running, and four points adrift of Bosnia, play Greece at the same time as this game. With one of those two teams guaranteed to drop points, a win for them could be huge. If Bosnia and Cyprus were both to win, it would secure second spot for them with a game still left to play. Their fate is certainly in their own hands, but facing an unbeaten Belgium side will not be easy, even if they’re already through.
When these two met last October, the Belgians ran riot, slotting four past a helpless Bosnian defence. That day Lukaku grabbed one of the goals as they comfortably dispatched their opposition, but this match is a totally different game. Bosnia’s main threat is offensively, with 19 goals so far, averaging at nearly 2.5 a game. At the back however, they are weaker. They’ve shipped eight goals so far, which is the same amount as Belgium and Cyprus together.
If Bosnia are going to get anything from this match, they’re going to have tighten up defensively. I think the starting eleven Martinez picks will be key, but Belgium should still get the job done and come away with a win.
Prediction: Bosnia 1-2 Belgium
SKYBET: CORRECT SCORE 2-1 BELGIUM- 17/2
SKYBET: LUKAKU TO SCORE A BRACE- 5/1
SKYBET: HAZARD TO SCORE FIRST AND BELGIUM TO WIN 3-0- 120/1
SKYBET: BELGIUM TO WIN FROM BEHIND- 12/1
SKYBET: DZEKO AND LUKAKU TO BOTH SCORE- 7/2
SKYBET: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE AND DRAW- 3/1
