Another chapter of rivalry between Belgium and Bosnia and Herzegovina will be open when on Friday night “Stade Roi Baudouin” in Belgian capital Brussels is set to host first from their two World Cup qualifying matches. Both nations are situated in Group H of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers where except their presence, we also find the UEFA Euro 2004 winners Greece, as well as teams of Cyprus, Estonia and Gibraltar. Thus we certainly recognize three major favourites who will fight for the top position and here we have both sides which were drawn out of respectively Pot 1 and Pot 2. Greeks were placed into Pot 3 of the qualifying draw due their extremely poor Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, but however, they should never be underestimated, as we all know…
H2H stats: Belgium vs Bosnia and Herzegovina 07.10.2016
Belgium and Bosnia and Herzegovina hold very solid head-to-head history as this will be the fourth time when both nations are in same qualifying group since 2005. Indeed, their competitive history began back in the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying and it was extended in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, as well as in the previous qualifying cycle when both sides were opponents in the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying group B.
Overall balance of matches facing Belgium vs Bosnia and Herzegovina is on the Bosnians who have three wins against two for “The Red Devils”. Just one game has ended without a winner and that was the 1-1 draw in Zenica, from October 2014. It was followed by a 3-1 win for Belgium in September 2015, when Edin Dzeko has opened the score for “The Golden Lilies”, but three unanswered goals by Marouane Fellaini, Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard gave the whole credit to Belgium. That clash was pretty decisive for the top 2 Group B positions, where Belgium and Wales were, while Bosnia and Herzegovina had to fight for its Euro 2016 position in the playoffs. We all know what happened there and that “Dragons” from Western Balkans were eliminated by the Republic of Ireland after a draw in Zenica (1-1), followed by a 2-0 Irish victory in Dublin.
Those recent results mean that Bosnia can boast with very good record against Belgium in their previous four matches and three of them were victories, but anyway, “The Dragons” couldn’t qualify for the finals in each occasion. We can say same for “Belgian Red Devils”, well except the past Euro 2016 quest, as they even finished behind Bosnia in the 2006 & 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Belgium vs Bosnia and Herzegovina – Team News and Match Preview
Belgium had bigger expectations for the UEFA Euro 2016 finals where they were eliminated by Wales in the quarter-finals, which has influenced to decision the decision for Marc Wilmots’ dismissal. The Royal Belgian Football Association appointed former Everton boss Roberto Martinez who has only one target – first position in Group H and respectively qualification to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Roberto Martinez’s first challenge as Belgian head coach was a friendly match against its own country Spain, where two goals by David Silva were enough for securing the Spanish success. Nonetheless, more important was the journey to Cyprus few days later, where “The Red Devils” met another opponent which was part from their winning march in the Euro 2016 qualifying. The 3-0 success in Nicosía came after a brace by Everton’s striker Romelu Lukaku and one more by Yannick Carrasco. We can easily say an important result which will boost Belgium’s confidence before the home match against Bosnia and the forthcoming travel to Gibraltar, which should be an easy win, but Belgians can’t afford any slips.
Bosnia and Herzegovina lives with the disappointment of another playoff defeat but Mehmed Bezdarevic remains in charge of the squad. He preserves trust of the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina, so Bezdarevic can motivate its players without any extra pressure.
Bosnia and Herzegovina were hosts to Estonia on matchday one and their 5-0 success puts them on top, above Greece (4-1) and Belgium (3-0). Now “The Golden Lilies” prepare for a game from completely different matter and till the end of 2016 they must visit both main Group H rivals – next journey is Greece in mid of November. It’s obvious that Bosnia will be pleased even on a draw in both matches with hopes for something more in their home matches. Meanwhile they should avoid any possible slip against all group “underdogs”, as their next opponent is Cyprus, when both sides will meet on Monday night.
Belgium vs Bosnia and Herzegovina – Prediction and Possible Lineups
Bosnia and Herzegovina were very convincing against Estonia where Mehmed Bezdarevic started with a 4-4-2 formation but we’re sure he can’t afford such a luxury in Brussels. Edin Dzeko and Vedad Ibisevic led Bosnia’s attack in that game as they have both scored once, while other three goals were netted by Haris Medunjanin and veteran Emir Spahic, who added two.
“The Dragons” are one really battle-worthy team and big part of it plays in German Bundesliga, but you also know players from other top European football leagues like Chelsea’s goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, as well as few more Serie A representatives – Ervin Zukanovic, Senad Lulic, Mato Jajalo, Miralem Pjanic and Edin Dzeko. We should also highlight names of Maccabi Tel Aviv’s midfielder Haris Medunjanin and Istanbul Basaksehir’s winger Edin Visca, who enjoys to a great season in Turkish Süper Lig, where his club is on top.
Attacking formation including names of Lulic, Pjanic, Visca and Edin Dzeko on top (he’ll probably start, while Vedad Ibisevic can always be a rotation if Bezdarevic needs to improve the attack or to switch formation) can be really capable to score and Belgian defense must be completely concentrated.
Belgian team is built by players who do not need special introduction and huge percent of them plays in the English Premier League. Unfortunately, Roberto Martinez can’t use service of few top quality players who could improve the overall quality of this match in any aspect, as Thomas Vermaelen, Vincent Kompany, Mousa Dembele and Kevin De Bruyne are all injured.
Their absence require some rotations in the home side and this opens place for Romelu Lukaku’s brother – Jordan, who’ll start at the left-back, while the centre-back duo will be formed by the two Tottenham teammates Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen.
Radja Nainggolan can start next to Axel Witsel in midfield, but competition there is also higher since Steven Defour and Marouane Fellaini can also be decent options, as well as one of biggest youth prospects in Belgian football Youri Tielemans, who is eager to make its debut.
Situation is really competitive up fronts where Kevin De Bruyne’s injury opens a gap and Roberto Martinez can decide whether to start with Eden Hazard on the wing, or to move him behind the striker. This opens position for players like Kevin Mirallas, Dries Mertens and Nacer Chadli, while Atletico Madrid’s winger Yannick Carrasco looks sure for the right wing.
Romelu Lukaku, who scored 7 goals in its last 5 matches, including Everton’s goal in the 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace last Friday. He opened the score but Crystal Palace answered with a goal scored by another Belgian forward – Christian Benteke. He finally found its form after his summer move from Liverpool to Crystal Palace and that’s great for the 25-year-old striker, who’s keen to revive its career, but for all Belgian fans as well. Presence of Lukaku/Benteke/Divock Origi and Michy Batshuayi provides one extraordinary squad depth for the attacking line, where Roberto Martinez has adequate backup if he wants to replace or to improve the line in the game.
Final conclusion and Betting Prediction
Belgium are determined as certain favourites for winning that game and in our opinion odds are relatively low. Although “The Red Devils” are hosts, Bosnia and Herzegovina have shown they can be really solid team and fact they have positive record against Belgium speaks enough.
Roberto Martinez’s main advantage here is he can use a centre-back duo that does great job in the Premier League and they play together every week. Moreover, Belgian attack looks extremely sharp and even Kevin De Bruyne’s injury doesn’t seem to be such an issue when they have offer that impressive plenitude of top quality players, all having great pace.
Stopping Belgium’s attack will be a massive challenge for the 36-year-old defender Emir Spahic, who’s very risky player anyway, so we doubt that Mehmed Bezdarevic will choose a 4-4-2 formation here. Bosnian defense must receive more support by the midfielders but this doesn’t mean they cannot organize enough scoring chances.
Our betting prediction is related with the strong attacking formations which both nations are famous to have and bets on “Both teams to score – Yes” are very reasonable for match between Belgium vs Bosnia and Herzegovina. We have it in five from their six previous meetings.
Venue: “Stade Roi Baudouin”, Brussels.
Referee: Martin Atkinson from England.
Possible starting lineups of Belgium and Bosnia and Herzegovina
Belgium: Thibaut Courtois – Thomas Meunier, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Jordan Lukaku – Marouane Fellaini, Axel Witsel – Yannick Carrasco, Eden Hazard, Dries Mertens – Romelu Lukaku. (4-2-3-1)
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Asmir Begovic – Sead Kolasinac, Ervin Zukanovic, Emir Spahic, Ognjen Vranjes – Tino-Sven Susic, Haris Medunjanin – Senad Lulic, Miralem Pjanic, Edin Visca – Edin Dzeko. (4-2-3-1)