Although placed 7th and 39th in the FIFA World rankings respectively, the friendly game between Belgium and Czech Republic on June 5 at the Stade Roi Baudouin, Brussels could throw up entertaining moments. For the home team, it will be a good warm-up practice before they clash with Estonia for a 2018 World Cup qualifying game on 9 June. The Red Devils are laden with talent and big names like Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens, Kevin De Bruyne,Vincent Kompany, Thibaut Courtois, Jan Vertonghen,Christian Benteke, Marouane Fellaini, etc dotting their ranks. But Coach Roberto Martínez may decide to rest many of the stars ahead of the Estonia clash which is why many of those names could be missing from Monday’s friendly.
Coach Karel Jarolím’s Czech Republic will be approaching the Brussels game with three wins and 2 draws behind them and will be expected to give the hosts a run for their money.
Despite their vaunted position in European and World football, the Belgians recent history in international outings hasn’t been great. Their thumping 4-0 and 3-0 wins against Hungary and Republic of Ireland have been somewhat clouded by defeats to Italy and Wales in the 2016 European Cup.
The Czech’s recent wins of 3-0 and 6-0 over Lithuania and San Marino will give them the right mojo to get a goal or two at the King Baudouin Stadium. Slavia Praha’s Antonín Barak and Viktoria Plzen’s Michal Krmencík will be at the forefront of the Czech attack and will be expected to give the Belgian defence some testing times.At the goal, they can draw comfort from the vast experience of the redoubtable Peter Cech.
The Belgian have conceded in each of their previous 4 games and this is one aspect Karel Jarolím’s men would like to exploit on Monday.
These two nations have faced each other just once in the past decade with the Czechs having won 3-1 back in 2009. But the visitors could find the going tough this time even if Roberto Martinez were to field a second-string Belgian side, such being the bench strength at his disposal.
Also factoring in the home advantage, bookmakers are wagering a Belgium win with a possible margin of 3-1. But being a friendly encounter, an unexpected result cannot be ruled out.
Recommended Tip: Belgium to Win, Best Odds 1.5 @