Belgium vs Egypt
Two more teams have one last chance for fine-tuning before the World Cup when Egypt meets Belgium at the King Baudouin Stadium on Wednesday.
It’s an opportunity for Roberto Martinez and Hector Cuper to size up their squads and make their final choices before the big day arrives. But Cuper must do it without his injured star man Mo Salah, and that’s a tough ask against their hosts in Brussels.
FIFA 2018 doesn’t have many better sides, on paper, than Belgium but here at SBOBET the Cup winner odds have Roberto Martinez’ Red Devils at 11.50, showing that they haven’t always been quite as good on grass in recent tournaments.
Talking Points
There were initial fears in the Egypt camp that Mo Salah would miss the whole of World Cup 2018 following his horror injury in the Champions League final. That was a devastating blow for Liverpool, but looked like signalling the end of Egypt’s best chance of progressing from Group A.
The crude challenge by Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramas left Salah with an injured shoulder, but the Premier League’s top striker hopes to be fit for at least two of the group games. He’s expected to be out for three weeks and that means he could be fit to play Russia in the crucial clash.
The Pharaohs have a tough opening against Uruguay, and had a chance to test themselves, without Mo, against Columbia last week but drew a blank in a scoreless draw and rarely looked like threatening in attack, managing just a single shot on target in the 90 minutes.
But Egypt won their qualifying group in Africa and aren’t a one man team. Mahmoud Trezeguet has impressed this season in Turkey for Kasimpasa and says the Pharaohs need fear no-one. He is being monitored by Galatasaray and Everton and could be one for us to watch. Premier League fans will know the potential of Arsenal midfielder Mohammed Elneny, while Abdallah El Said still has plenty to offer, and Huddersfield target Ramadan Sobhi has the guile to worry any defence when he’s on his game.
But, undeniably, the World Cup 2018 odds on Egypt are very much Salah dependant.
Belgium also played out a goalless draw in their last warm-up game against rivals Portugal. It was a cagey affair, but in The Red Devil’s previous match they thumped Saudi Arabia 4-0, with Manchester United’s Romelu Lukaku grabbing a brace. United’s front man hasn’t always impressed this season, but has scored 33 in 66 internationals. In that game Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne was in ominous form, setting two up before netting himself.
There’s good news for Belgium fans as De Bruyne’s club team-mate Vincent Kompany has been named in Belgium’s squad, despite limping off with a groin injury in the weekend clash with Portugal.
That result means Martinez has taken his team on a 17 match unbeaten run since losing to Spain over a year ago, and his men will go into the World Cup with plenty of belief. Though a tough test in the shape of England awaits them in Russia, and an unconvincing performance against Egypt could start the big tournament jitters.
History
Well, if we’re going to rely on history to work out this game it’s going to be an easy Egypt win! In the only previous meeting the Africans won 4-0 with a second half blitz. But that was in 2005, and while Egypt didn’t have Salah then either, the Red Devils were without the likes of De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois.
So let’s take a look at the form instead.
Belgium’s 17 match unbeaten run looks unlikely to be tested, as Egypt have lost four of their last six away from home, drawing the other two and last won, in 2017, against Congo. The Red Devils are realistic bets for, at least, a semi-final final place while Egypt will do well to escape their group.
What are the Odds?
Given the home advantage, but more so the quality in Martinez’ squad and the absence of Salah, it’s no surprise that the hosts are at 1.92 to win, with a -1.50 handicap, with Egypt coming in at 2.00 with that +1.50 start.
Belgium failed to break down the Portuguese defence, and if you think Egypt could keep them at bay for 45 minutes then you can get 3.45 on a draw at half time/Belgium win at full time.
Over 2.75 goals is at 2.06 with under at 1.84, and that makes sense after the two weekend goalless draws. And 2-0 is the most likely result at 5.00 with 3-0 at 7.20.
On to the World Cup, if Lukaku can improve on his one in two ratio and the Red Devils get to the last four then, at 18.00 to finish as the World Cup top scorer the Manchester United star would be worth a look
Egypt are at 2.10 to qualify from Group A and, of course, Salah could be back for the big game against Russia.
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