Euro 2016 qualifying Group B favourites Belgium need to secure a win on home soil when they face Bosnia-Herzegovina at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Thursday evening. The situation for the visitors is slightly more desperate, a win would put them back in the qualifying race but a defeat would most likely leave them out for good. The reverse fixture ended 1-1, with Radja Nainggolan making it all square after Edin Dzeko had opened the scoring. The two sides have last met in Belgium in 2009, when Dzeko scored in an unlikely 4-2 victory for Bosnia.
The Belgium fans were expecting an easier route in Group B but they were defeated 1-0 by Wales in June, a result which still shapes the group table as Wales are top, three points clear of second-placed Belgium. Belgium have just that one defeat in their last 11 matches. They can also rely on the most efficient attack in the group, with 13 goals scored so far. Vincent Kompany will be back in the starting eleven after having missed the meeting with Wales through suspension. Upfront head coach Marc Wilmots will choose between Romelu Lukaku and Christian Benteke.
Bosnia-Herzegovina have never made it to a European Championship, if they want to change that next year they must at least avoid defeat in Belgium. They are currently fifth in the group table, three points behind Belgium. They have changed the head coach in December, with Mehmed Bazdarevic taking over from Safet Susic. Their fortunes changed under the new boss, after picking up just two points in four matches under Susic they won two matches in a row, scoring six and conceding just one. Defender Damir Sadikovic will be unavailable through suspension.
Probable line-ups:
Belgium: Courtois - Vertonghen, Kompany, Lombaerts, Alderweireld - Witsel, Nainggolan, Fellaini, De Bruyne, Hazard - Benteke
Bosnia: Begovic - Mujdza, Spahic, Vranjes, Kolasinac - Besic, Medunjanin, Lulic, Visca, Pjanic - Dzeko
My prediction: Belgium to win 1-0.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Belgium win - 1.50 Draw - 4.50 Bosnia win - 7.50
mdacic 8 years ago
This round of qualification for EURO 2016 was very interesting. In this match we expected win for Belgium and that happened but in a lot of other games we saw a lot of excitement and a lot of surprises. Netherlands lost against Turkey, Iceland qualify for tournament, San Marino scores a goal :) So I can't wait until next...
This round of qualification for EURO 2016 was very interesting. In this match we expected win for Belgium and that happened but in a lot of other games we saw a lot of excitement and a lot of surprises. Netherlands lost against Turkey, Iceland qualify for tournament, San Marino scores a goal :) So I can't wait until next round and final fixtures of this qualification to see which teams will qualify.
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Johnajax 8 years ago
In this qualification so far everything is just as we expected including this match too, only Netherlands is in big trouble. I was at stadium and I was watching game against Iceland and I can confirm that we don't deserve to play on Euro 2016. After this loss from Iceland we still have chance to qualify but I think that...
In this qualification so far everything is just as we expected including this match too, only Netherlands is in big trouble. I was at stadium and I was watching game against Iceland and I can confirm that we don't deserve to play on Euro 2016. After this loss from Iceland we still have chance to qualify but I think that there are a lot of batter teams. I love my country and everything will do for my country but i am just realistic.
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galata86 8 years ago
Belgium is better team and after match that is clear. They have better players and I am not surprised at all with this score. Kompany showed again that he is great captain and great leader on the field and he is one of the best defenders in the Europe. But no matter on this result both teams will be on Euro (I think) and...
Belgium is better team and after match that is clear. They have better players and I am not surprised at all with this score. Kompany showed again that he is great captain and great leader on the field and he is one of the best defenders in the Europe. But no matter on this result both teams will be on Euro (I think) and that is most important for bot national teams,
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advoghado
8 years ago
It was a very nice game to watch, though I did not watch the whole game, I saw movement and goals. The team of Belgium with a great team and the crowd pushing, got a great result today, took a big step to reach the next stage in your group. I think the positive surprise of this group is Wales and I expected more from the...
It was a very nice game to watch, though I did not watch the whole game, I saw movement and goals. The team of Belgium with a great team and the crowd pushing, got a great result today, took a big step to reach the next stage in your group. I think the positive surprise of this group is Wales and I expected more from the Bosnian team, I saw the games in the last World Cup and liked the soccer played
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Alexa Alexa 8 years ago
This was pretty interesting match.We saw 4 goals and quality football.Edin Dzeko gave early lead to Bosnia and Herzegovina but it simply was not enough to beat this team of Belgium.Belgium was better and deservely win.With this players,Belgium will be on of the favourites at Euro 2016...
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timidi 8 years ago
So far Belgium have control of the game. They have ball possession and great result and I think that they will win all three pints here. Bosnia started well with leading goal by Dzeko but that is it, now starts second half and we will see the rest but I think that Belgium had more quality and they will win easy.
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sharpe
8 years ago
Have to be a very interesting game. Bosnia chances for qualifying doesn't look at all so they will have to be really at the top of their game if they wish to win this one. No need to mention all the famous names in the Belgium squad, they are favourite not only in this game but in the group.
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rikimartin4444_115925
8 years ago
This will be great game. I expect both sides to give their best to earn points from this game. Belgium have better players and they are favorite, but that fact they need to show on pitch. They have awesom player, especially in attack and that is their strongest weapon. On the other side, Bosnia need to be patient and to...
This will be great game. I expect both sides to give their best to earn points from this game. Belgium have better players and they are favorite, but that fact they need to show on pitch. They have awesom player, especially in attack and that is their strongest weapon. On the other side, Bosnia need to be patient and to wait Belgium mistake. My prediction is 1-1 draw.
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moonballad
8 years ago
In media circle information about Benteke injury ( get it on weekend match vs. Liverpool ), and huge posibility to miss match against Bosnia? Belgium have a chance to catch Wales with points, and Bosnia must show quality if they want some positive results ( draw or win ) ..
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