Belgium vs Russia Predictions

• Belgium won home and away against Russia in qualifying
• The Red Devils have won seven of their last nine games

Belgium to reign in Russia

Belgium may be classed as the home team in this fixture, but they face Russia in St Petersburg on Saturday night. After a great run at the 2018 World Cup Russia will be hoping home advantage works out for them once again this summer.

However, the Belgians have some great form coming into this game and they should be able to see off Russia even if Kevin De Bruyne can’t feature. With plenty of star performers in their golden generation and some recent joy over Russia, expect the Red Devils to kick off with a win.

Whether their ageing stars can kick on and land that elusive trophy is another question, but this could be their last chance for quite some time given the average age of their squad.

Russia to fall short again

Russia have struggled to build on the momentum of 2018, keeping largely the same side without making many steps forward. They were winless against Turkey and Hungary in their Nations League group late last year, while the Russians qualified in second place some way short of Belgium.

The Red Devils won their qualifying group with ease, winning all 10 matches and scoring 40 times. They did concede two of their three goals against in clashes with Russia, winning 3-1 at home and 4-1 away in their two meetings.

With Belgium winning seven of their last nine internationals we are backing them to take the points on Saturday night.

Belgium look good for goals

Belgium have scored over 80 goals across their last two qualifying campaigns and they were the highest scoring side at the last World Cup. However, Roberto Martinez has struggled to set them up well defensively, as they have a very top heavy group.

Russia have scored in their last five games and with their two strikes against Belgium in qualifying considered, goals look good here. We see another high scoring game with Russia likely to push forward in front of home support, so we’re backing a 3-1 win Belgian win as our correct score prediction.

Lukaku to launch golden boot charge

Romelu Lukaku is among the contenders to be top scorer at Euro 2020 and that comes after a brilliant season with Inter Milan. The forward is their highest scorer ever by quite some margin, with his 60 goals almost double the haul of Eden Hazard in second.

Lukaku scored in Belgium’s final warm-up clash with Croatia and we are backing him to find the net here having scored 20 times across his last 21 international appearances.

Belgium predicted lineup

Russia predicted lineup

• Each of Russia’s last five competitive fixtures have featured at least three goals
• Both teams have scored in nine of Belgium’s last 12 matches

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