Belgium vs Israel Prediction: Red Devils to come out on top

Belgium and Israel meet in Hungary for the opening fixture of their League A Group 2 fixture of the Uefa Nations League on Friday (19:45), with the Red Devils eager to bounce back from their round of 16 exit at Euro 2024.

Israel defeated Belarus 4-0 in their last outing, but they will face a much sterner test here. Below you will find my Belgium vs Israel prediction, including match odds and team news.

Belgium vs Israel Odds

*Please click on the link above to be taken to the main Belgium vs Israel page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices on this match.

Belgium are 1/4 to win this match, giving them an 80% chance of victory. Israel are valued at 8/1 to take the three points, which gives them an implied probability of 11.1%. The draw is available at 4/1 (20%).

Both teams to score is priced at 1/1 and over 2.5 goals can be backed at 4/7.

Football Odds

Team News

Belgium boss Domenico Tedesco made two big omissions from his Nations League squad in striker Romelu Lukaku, who has just reunited with Antonio Conte at Napoli, and Leandro Trossard, who has established himself as a key figure at Arsenal. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois remains absent as he refuses to play while Tedesco is in charge.

The forward options available selection for this match include Johan Bakayoko, Charles De Ketelaere, Jeremy Doku, Dodi Lukebakio and Lois Openda. Tedesco started two up top in the Red Devils' last outing against France at the Euros, so all of them will be hoping to start on Friday.

Kevin De Bruyne is likely to start in the middle of the park and he will be hoping to carry on the momentum he has been building at the start of the season with Manchester City in the Premier League.

Timothy Castagne played well for Fulham in their Carabao Cup victory over Birmingham City a week ago, and he should once again keep his place at right-back for Belgium.

Arne Engels, who just became Celtic's record signing, was called up to the Belgium squad for the first time in the summer for their warm-up matches before Euro 2024, and he will be hoping that he can make his first senior appearance against Israel. He will be competing with the likes of Orel Mangala and Aston Villa duo Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana for minutes.

Israel have no fresh concerns heading into Friday's clash.

Belgium to win to nil @ 21/20

Belgium were not exactly inspiring at the Euros but they still have plenty of talent in their squad which Tedesco can achieve things with. He's been in the job for 18 months now and we should start to see drastic improvement from the Red Devils.

The Nations League gives them a chance to reset after their disappointing run in Germany, and with the manager making some tough calls in his squad selection, it appears as though he is stamping down his authority and demanding more from those who he has called upon.

I think they can get off to a flying start against Israel, who have lost two of their last three matches. With the likes of Openda and De Bruyne, who have the quality to score and create goals, I think Israel will be overwhelmed. And then when you add the frightening pace and dancing feet of Jeremy Doku, you do have to wonder how Israel intend on keeping Belgium's attacking stars quiet.

That is why I think backing Belgium to win to nil is a sensible selection for this contest.

Over 2.5 goals @ 4/7

Which leads me onto my next point. There is a lot of quality in attack for the Red Devils and Tedesco is spoilt for choice with the options at his disposal. Lukaku may be absent but there is a chance for those who have been selected to stand up and be a regular source of goals for the team, and the likes of Openda, De Bruyne, Doku and Lukebakio can all contribute.

Belgium need to give their fans hope and something to believe in as the long route to the 2026 World Cup begins, and a string of strong and prolific performances in the Nations League could go a long way for them. So I think they can turn on the attacking quality here and find the back of the net on at least three occasions.

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