Belgium v Algeria 1x2 predictions and betting tips

Match	Date	Selection	Bet	Odds	Bet now
Belgium v Algeria 1x2 predictions and betting tips World Cup 2014, International	17/06/2014 18:00	full time result	Belgium	1.50	Bet at B
Betting prediction was written by Dan Adair

BELGIUM v ALGERIA: QUALIFICATION

Belgium come into these finals as a real dark horse for some people. A brilliant squad with fantastic depth all they really lack is big competition experience. A bitter blow though with the loss of striker Cristian Benteke, he will be missed. Belgium finished atop a tough group containing Croatia, Serbia, Scotland and Wales so they performed well. Algeria arrive here as one of the big outsiders, little is expected of them at all. They won through after 5 wins and 1 loss in a pretty easy group of Mali, Benin and Rwanda. Then a two legged win over Burkina Faso sealed the qualification.

THE BELGIUM SQUAD

Coach: Marc Wilmots

Goalkeepers: 1.Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid, on loan from Chelsea), 12.Simon Mignolet (Liverpool), 13.Sammy Bossut (Zulte-Waregem).

Defenders: 2.Toby Alderweireld (Atletico Madrid), 23.Laurent Ciman (Standard Liege), 18.Nicolas Lombaerts (Zenit St Petersburg), 4.Vincent Kompany *C* (Manchester City), 15.Daniel Van Buyten (Bayern Munich), 21.Anthony Vanden Borre (Anderlecht), 3.Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal), 5.Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham).

Midfielders: 22.Nacer Chadli, 19.Mousa Dembele (both Tottenham), 16.Steven Defour (Porto), 7.Kevin De Bruyne (Wolfsburg),8. Marouane Fellaini, 20.Adnan Januzaj (both Manchester United), 10.Eden Hazard (Chelsea), 11.Kevin Mirallas (Everton), 17.Divock Origi (Lille), 6.Axel Witsel (Zenit St Petersburg).

Forwards: 9.Romelu Lukaku (Everton, on loan from Chelsea), 14.Dries Mertens (Napoli).

Extremely promising squad of players and a whose who of current European talent. They have strength in depth and many options in all areas. Just lack the big tournament experience and may be one for 2016 or even next World Cup. Not much cover at striker for Lukaku though and slight weakness at fullback as they are currently playing 4 central defenders as the backline.

THE ALGERIA SQUAD

Coach: Vahid Halilhodzic

Goalkeepers: 23.Rais Mbolhi (CSKA Sofia), 1.Cedric Si Mohamed (CS Constantine), 16.Mohamed Lamine Zemmamouche (USM Alger).

Defenders: 4.Essaid Belkalem (Watford on loan from Granada, Spain), 2.Madjid Bougherra *C* (Lekhwya Club), 17.Liassine Cadamuro (Mallorca), 3.Faouzi Ghoualm (Napoli), 5.Rafik Halliche (Academica Coimbra), 20.Aissa Mandi (Stade Reims), 7.Carl Medjani (Valenciennes), 6.Djamel Mesbah (Livorno), 22.Mehdi Mostefa (AC Ajaccio)

Midfielders: 14.Nabil Bentaleb (Tottenham), 11.Yasine Brahimi (Granada), 12.Medhi Lacen (Getafe), 19.Saphir Taider (Inter Milan), 8.Hassan Yebda (Udinese)

Forwards: 18.Abdelmoumene Djabou (Club Africain), 10.Sofiane Feghouli (Valencia), 9.Nabil Ghilas (Porto), 21.Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City), 13.Islam Slimani (Sporting Lisbon), 15.Hilal Soudani (Dinamo Zagreb).

A generally young and inexperienced side here who could be anything in this tournament. Algeria are a very fluid side who chop and change personel to face a certain opposition. The players are all unheralded really but they are all in major league across Europe and they could spring a few suprises here.

WARM UP GAMES

Great friendly build up for Belgium who have played three and won three with 8 goals scored and just 1 conceded. They hammered Luxembourg 5-1 and although that result looks a normal one against their Benelux neighbours they did after that draw 1-1 with Italy. A solid 2-0 win over Sweden was followed up with a 1-0 win over Tunisia – the latter match was a none event really and very low key. Romelu Lukaku banged in four goals in the three games to improve his goal average. Algeria had their own good form too with three wins from three. Beating Slovenia 2-0 in Algeria – plus a 3-1 win over Armenia and a 2-1 over Romania both in Switzerland. The wins were actually quite scrappy and although they will be in good spirits they have proven they can score but equally can concede.

MATCH ANALYSIS

Hardest opening game of the group for Algeria who I do fancy to make an impact here. Belgium though are too strong in all areas. I don’t think Algeria will have the defensive fortitude to hold out and Lukaku will be too strong for a slightly suspect Algerian backline. Algeria will target a draw here and slightly amend their formation to a more defensive line. They will not take risks and seek to contain Belgium. I don’t think they can do it successfully.

BETTING TIPS 1X2

Belgium to take the win and take control of the group early on. I think a low scoring group is in order here with all games in this one very tight. Algeria will look to contain and wont take risks, trying to grab a point and move on from there. Belgium will have too much for Algeria in the main attacking areas and a low scoring win for them is taken.

Back Belgium to win at 1.50 (1/2) with Bet365.