- Belgium finished qualifying with a +18 goal difference
- The Red Devils won to nil in five of their eight qualifiers
- Recommended bet: Belgium -1 handicap

Belgium are heavy favourites to start Euro 2024 with a win when they meet a Slovakia side that will be focused on sneaking into second.

While the Red Devils have seen many of their golden generation depart the international stage, new boss Domenico Tedesco has made an impressive start to his reign. 

Team news

Experienced defender Jan Vertonghen looks set to be passed fit to start for Belgium in Frankfurt, with Koen Casteels in goal after Thibaut Courtois was not included in the squad.

Slovakia will set up in a 4-3-3 system mirroring Belgium, just as boss Francesco Calzona did with Napoli during his stint there earlier this year.

Defender Denis Vavaro is Calzona’s big injury concern, he is a doubt to partner PSG’s Milan Skriniar in the heart of their backline.

The stats

Belgium have kept three clean sheets in four games in 2024 and they are yet to lose since Tedesco took charge,

The Red Devils have won by two clear goals in both of their warm-up games.

Slovakia were beaten 5-0 by Spain in their last European Championship game in the 2020 edition.

Slovakia have scored just five times across their seven games at the Euros.

Prediction

While Belgium are not considered among the elite contenders in Germany, they remain a side to fear.

Their draw in Group E looks kind, while their opener against Slovakia sets the stage for a bright start to the tournament.

Slovakia finished second behind Portugal in a qualifying group which lacked quality, losing home and away to Roberto Martinez’s side and that suggests this clash is going to be tough for them.

Tedesco’s bright start as Belgium boss has seen him go unbeaten, while they won to nil in five of eight qualifiers.

His style looks to give the team a solid base to build upon and that has been clear in their preparations for this tournament.

The Red Devils have kept three clean sheets from four games in 2024, while they scored 22 goals across eight games in qualifying.

Belgium are strongest in attack, with Kevin De Bruyne supporting a front three of Romelu Lukaku, Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard.

Lukaku looks set for a strong tournament after scoring 15 times in nine games for the national side in 2023.

Belgium’s quality going forward and Slovakia’s blunt attack suggests that Tedesco’s side will win this clash comfortably.

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