9 Sept 2019
Scotland’s Chances Of Qualification Unlikely
At the midway stage in Group I, Scotland’s chances of securing progression through the main qualifiers appear all but over and the Nations League play-offs will have to determine success or failure.
Defeat at home to Russia will have sucked out some of the positivity surrounding Steve Clarke’s appointment, especially as the 2-1 scoreline could have been a lot more damaging had their visitors been more clinical.
Indeed, Stanislav Cherchesov’s men saw two efforts bounce back off the woodwork and another cleared off the line.
Scotland did at least show some attacking ambition on Friday at either end of the 90 minutes, managing 14 shots compared to their opponents’ 17 (Russia also won the count for those on target 6-5).
However, an inability to keep possession in midfield and gifting it away in dangerous areas would prove absolutely suicidal against the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, who will undoubtedly make much more of any opportunities to drive forwards with the ball and execute that killer pass.
Belgium To Win To Nil
Whereas Scotland simply had to go for the win against Russia and will probably be more concerned with damage limitation here, recent results against Belgium themselves hardy gives great cause for encouragement.
The Red Devils landed a 3-0 win in Brussels just three months ago and took apart Scotland 4-0 in Glasgow last September, while it’s been plain sailing for them in these qualifiers as they’ve won all five games, netting 15 times and conceding just the once.
Lukaku To Score Anytime
Romelu Lukaku netted three times across those two head-to-heads and looks well placed to do so again here. He’ll certainly have fresh legs having seen Michy Batshuayi deputize in the forward role away at San Marino on Friday, while the former Man Utd man has made a quick start to life in Italy with two goals from as many games for Inter.
That leaves the burly striker with five goals in four appearances for club or country since June, and he should be the standout goal threat with Eden Hazard absent through injury.
Looking at Scotland’s results against those who are currently in the top 20 of FIFA’s world rankings, they’ve lost nine of 10 winless games since May 2016 and failed to score in all but one of those defeats.
Given Belgium have won without conceding in eight of their last 12 outings, including each of the past four, the win to nil appears nailed on.
However, with both of the Hazard brothers and Axel Witsel missing for the visitors, we wouldn’t be confident of backing a big win. In particular, Belgium have failed to win by more than two goals in eight of the past nine games where Eden Hazard has played fewer than 45 minutes since March 2016, as the exception came last time out against San Marino.
Belgium To Win To Nil At 10/11
Romelu Lukaku To Score Anytime At 5/6
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