Belgium 2020 UEFA Euro Betting
Belgium is one of the overall favorites to win EURO 2020. The Red Devils are coming off a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup, and this is probably the last, best chance for their golden generation to win international glory for the small country. Belgium is the top-ranked team in the world according to April’s FIFA rankings, holding their place ahead of defending World Cup champions France.
Belgium Squad Profile
UEFA Euro Odds: +600
Coach: Roberto Martinez
FIFA Ranking: 1
Best Finish: Runner-up (1980)
Group: B ( Denmark, Finland and Russia )
How They Got Here
It was an extremely stress-free qualifying run for Belgium. The Belgians won all 10 of their matches, as they outscored their opponents by a total of 37 goals. They beat all of their opponents by multiple goals, even making quick work of decent sides like Russia and Scotland. Romelu Lukaku had seven goals in qualifying, and Eden Hazard added five goals.
Team Preview
This team is filled with talented players at every position. Manager Roberto Martinez has done well to get the best out of Belgium during his tenure, and it has helped that so many of his players have experience in the English Premier League.
Belgium has two superb goalkeepers, but Thibaut Courtois will get the nod over Simon Mignolet. Courtois has started over Mignolet in each of the last three major international tournaments, and he won the Golden Glove at the 2018 World Cup for recording more saves than any goalkeeper. Courtois has been the first-choice goalkeeper for Real Madrid the last two seasons.
The back line is still strong, but Belgium’s best defenders are now on the wrong side of 30. Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen have been mainstays in defense for the last decade and both players have well over 100 caps for the national team. They are starting to slip a bit though. The same is true for Thomas Vermaelen, so Thomas Meunier might have to be the leader of this unit.
There is a lot to like in the midfield and on the attack. Kevin De Bruyne is one of the most talented midfielders in the world. De Bruyne is one of the catalysts of Manchester City’s fearsome attack in the Premier League, and he is one of the best set-up men. Axel Witsel is an underrated talent too, and Thorgan Hazard pairs well with his brother.
This is one of the best collections of forwards in the world. Eden Hazard has 32 goals, and he can play up top or in the midfield depending on where Belgium needs him to line up. Romelu Lukaku is a pure No. 9 with 59 goals in 91 caps, and Christian Benteke has thrived whenever he is called up. Michy Batshuayi and Dries Mertens can come off the bench and provide a spark, so this attack can light up the scoreboard.
Belgium Schedule
GROUP STAGE
Saturday June 12
Belgium vs. Russia (Saint Petersburg; 3 p.m. ET, 9 p.m.)
Thursday June 17
Denmark vs. Belgium (Copenhagen; noon ET, 6 p.m.)
Monday June 21
Finland vs. Belgium (Saint Petersburg; 3 p.m. ET, 9 p.m.)
Switzerland’s History at the European Championships
Belgium’s first two trips to the European Championships were pretty successful. They finished in third place as host of the 1972 Euros in their debut, losing to champions West Germany but beating Hungary in the consolation game. They finished runner-up to West Germany at the 1980 Euros, but before that point they beat Spain and earned draws off both England and Italy.
We’ve yet to see Belgium have similar success since those first two appearances. The Red Devils failed to make it out of the Group Stage in the 1984 Euros, and they only qualified for one European Championship between 1985 and 2015.
The Belgians have made it to the quarterfinals in their last three international tournaments though. They were one of the most impressive teams at the 2014 World Cup before running into eventual runner-up Argentina in the quarterfinals. Belgium had its best showing in decades at the 2018 World Cup, finishing in third place with two wins over England and a victory over Brazil, but France proved to be too much.
The 2016 Euros looked promising for Belgium thanks to a favorable draw in the knockout rounds. They hammered Hungary 4-0 in the Round of 16, but they were stunned by Wales 3-1 in the quarterfinals. That defeat quickly led to Marc Wilmots’ sacking, as Belgium were odds-on favorites on the three-way line in that match.
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