Belgium vs Israel Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 UEFA Nations League | League A Group 2
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Domenico Tedesco remains the manager of the Belgian national team despite what was an extremely underwhelming UEFA EURO 2024 campaign. They begin the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League by welcoming Israel to Brussels.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Friday 6th September, 2024 - UK – 7:45pm / US ET – 2:45pm / US PT – 11:45am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – TBC / US – FOX Sports
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – TBC / US – FOX Sports streaming platforms
BELGIUM PREVIEW: A NEW ERA MUST BECKON
Belgium went to UEFA EURO 2024 in the first phase of their rebuild after the end of what was the so-called ‘golden generation’ but they must surely now accelerate that process after what was such a poor tournament.
The Red Devils started with a shock 1-0 defeat to Slovakia in their opening match before defeating Romania and then being held to a goalless draw by Ukraine in which they were whistled off by their own supporters. A 1-0 loss to France in the Round of 16 ended things.
ISRAEL PREVIEW: TOP-FLIGHT ISRAELIS
In May, Ran Ben Shimon was appointed the new Israel boss with high hopes for the nicknamed ‘Chosen Team’. After gaining promotion to League A of the UEFA Nations League in the previous cycle, they face a tough ask of getting any points.
In their group alongside Belgium are France and Italy so the likelihood is that Israel are immediately relegated but they will look to work on methods of play that should work at what is now seemingly an inevitable qualification for a future major tournament.
BELGIUM TEAM NEWS: THE COURTOIS SCENARIO
Last week, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois released a statement suggesting he now accepts his portion of the blame in his fall out with Tedesco but the Los Blancos ‘keeper would not play for the national side whilst he was manager due to a ‘lack of trust’.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Casteels; De Cuyper, Faes, Theate, Castagne; Onana, Tielemans; Saelemaekers, De Bruyne, Doku; Openda
UNAVAILABLE: Bakayoko (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
ISRAEL TEAM NEWS: GOALKEEPER DILEMMA
Former Israel U21 goalkeeper and Bayern Munich man Dan Peretz has not played enough football to earn another cap to his one for his country, whilst number one stopper Omri Glazer is an injury concern for the Israelis.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Gerafi; Dasa, Shlomo, Gandelman, Revivo; Peretz, Abu Fani; Abada, Gloukh, Solomon; David
UNAVAILABLE: Glazer (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
BELGIUM VS ISRAEL PREDICTION
This one should be one-sided and, truth be told, if it was taking place during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying campaign last year then it probably would have been. Something does, though, appear fractured at the moment and Belgium may well make hard work of this one. Oscar Gloukh, Liel Abada and Manor Solomon make up an exciting attack for Israel but surely Belgium will be able to shut this game down.
BELGIUM VS ISRAEL TIP: BELGIUM TO WIN & UNDER 3.5 GOALS
