Preview: Belgium vs Israel
- Soccer News 2024/09/05 02:50
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A first knockout round exit at Euro 2024 - at the hands of neighbours France - brought more misery to the Belgian faithful this summer, and doubts remain over whether current coach Domenico Tedesco can turn a talented squad into a title contender.
With the Red Devils also failing to impress in the group stage, Tedesco will be hoping to turn the page on his first tournament in charge and ensure his side secure a top-two finish in the Nations League's elite Group 2.
That would guarantee a place in the quarter-finals of the newly-expanded competition, while third place would mean a relegation play-off and fourth automatic relegation.
Belgium went through Euro qualifying unbeaten - conceding just four goals - but failed to reach the final of the Nations League last time out, finishing runners-up to the Netherlands.
Fourth place in the 2021 edition is their best result to date, and improving on that mark must be the goal for the season ahead - so avoiding a slip-up this week will be crucial.
The Belgians travel to France and then Italy for their next two games, so Tedesco will be under pressure to see off underdogs Israel, who have come under increased pressure after failing to heal their rift with Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Having previously lost four from four against their opening opponents - conceding 10 goals and scoring just one - history will not be on Israel's side at Debrecen's Nagyerdei Stadion.
They have been thrust into a fiendishly difficult group following promotion from League B in 2022, when they topped a group featuring Iceland, Albania and - initially - Russia.
Also present in the playoff semi-finals for Euro 2024, where they were beaten 4-1 by Iceland, the Sky Blue and Whites have been steadily improving, but they are still waiting to end over 50 years without a major finals appearance.
Before trying to end that wait in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, Ran Ben Shimon's side are back in Nations League action this season, following summer friendlies which brought a 3-0 defeat to Hungary and a 4-0 win over Belarus.
On Monday, they will play in Hungary again, 'hosting' Italy in Budapest, as ongoing conflict in the Middle East makes holding games in Israel impossible.
Belgium possible starting lineup:
Casteels; Castagne, Faes, De Winter, Theate; Onana, Mangala; Bakayoko, De Bruyne, Doku; Openda
Israel possible starting lineup:
Gerafi; Dasa, Shlomo, Nachmias, Gropper; Kanichowsky, Peretz; Solomon, Gloukh, Abada; Baribo
Prediction:Belgium 2-0 Israel
Belgium VS Israel stream and TV listing
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