Republic of Ireland v Belgium Prediction‚ Betting Tips‚ Lineups and Free Bets (2024)
The Republic of Ireland are set to host Belgium in a friendly match at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday‚ March 23rd‚ 2024. This will be the first game for the Irish under interim manager John O’Shea‚ who has been tasked with leading the team until a permanent successor to Stephen Kenny is appointed. Belgium‚ on the other hand‚ are looking to continue their strong form under Domenico Tedesco‚ despite the absence of key players like Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne.
Match Preview
The Republic of Ireland and Belgium will meet for the first time since March 2022‚ when they drew 2-2 in a friendly at the Aviva Stadium. This time‚ the game will be a test for both sides as they look to build momentum ahead of the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers. The Irish are in a transitional phase following Stephen Kenny’s departure‚ and John O’Shea will be eager to make a positive impression in his first game as interim manager. Meanwhile‚ Belgium have established themselves as a force in international football‚ despite a recent lack of silverware. The Belgians will be looking to build on their strong form under Domenico Tedesco‚ despite the absence of key players like Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne.
Head-to-Head
The head-to-head record between the Republic of Ireland and Belgium is heavily in favor of the Belgians. They have won 7 of their last 10 matches against the Irish‚ with the remaining three ending in draws. Their most recent encounter was a 2-2 draw in a friendly match back in March 2022. The last time Ireland beat Belgium was in May 1966‚ a 2-1 victory in a friendly match.
Team News
For the Republic of Ireland‚ there are several new faces in the squad‚ including Jake O’Brien‚ Sammie Szmodics‚ and Finn Azaz. O’Brien is having a stellar season with Lyon and is expected to start in defense. Szmodics‚ who is the top scorer in the Championship‚ is also a strong contender for a starting spot. John O’Shea has hinted that there could be plenty of rotation between the two friendlies‚ suggesting that these new players will get some playing time.
For Belgium‚ Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne are both out injured‚ which weakens their attack considerably. However‚ they still possess a wealth of talent‚ including Jeremy Doku‚ who has been in fine form for Manchester City. There is speculation about the inclusion of Arthur Vermeeren‚ a 19-year-old midfielder who plays for Atletico Madrid‚ as well as other young players. Domenico Tedesco is expected to field a strong team‚ even with the absences of some key players.
Ireland Form
The Republic of Ireland’s recent form has been underwhelming. They have endured a difficult few years under Stephen Kenny‚ culminating in his departure last November. Their most recent results include a 1-1 draw against New Zealand‚ a 1-0 loss to the Netherlands‚ a 0-2 loss to Greece‚ and a 1-2 loss to the Netherlands in September. While they did manage a 0-4 victory over Gibraltar in October‚ their overall performance has been far from convincing. The team is looking to turn things around under interim manager John O’Shea‚ but it remains to be seen if they can find a winning formula.
Belgium Form
Belgium has been a consistent force in international football‚ despite failing to live up to their “Golden Generation” expectations. Under Domenico Tedesco‚ they have rebuilt their momentum‚ going unbeaten in 2023 with a record of 8 wins‚ 1 draw and 1 abandoned game. They have secured their spot in Euro 2024 and are looking to continue their strong form. While key players like Lukaku and De Bruyne will be absent for this friendly‚ Belgium’s depth and recent performances suggest they are capable of getting a result against Ireland.
Betting Tips
Bookmakers are favoring Belgium to win‚ but the short odds make them a risky bet. Ireland’s recent performances have been strong defensively‚ and they might be able to frustrate the Belgians. A goalless draw is a potential outcome‚ but a more adventurous bet could be Belgium to win and both teams to score‚ given Belgium’s attacking potential and Ireland’s occasional ability to find the back of the net.
Free Bets
Several bookmakers offer free bet promotions for new customers. These promotions can be used to bet on the Republic of Ireland v Belgium match‚ and potentially win real money without risking your own funds. Be sure to check the terms and conditions of these offers‚ as they usually have wagering requirements and time limits.
The Republic of Ireland v Belgium friendly presents an intriguing clash between a team in transition and a side with a wealth of experience. While Belgium are the favorites‚ Ireland’s home advantage and O’Shea’s potential for a tactical surprise could make for a close match. With free bets available from various bookmakers‚ this friendly offers an opportunity to experience the excitement of international football without risking your own funds.
Where to Watch
The friendly game between the Republic of Ireland and Belgium kicks off at 5pm at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday 23rd March. The game will be shown live in the UK on TNT Sports. Alternatively‚ you can catch the International Friendlies game on the dedicated Republic of Ireland v Belgium Live page;
Prediction
Despite missing some of their marquee players‚ Belgiums depth and recent performances suggest they could edge out a victory against an Irish team that is still finding its rhythm under a new management structure. Scoreline Prediction⁚ Republic of Ireland 1-2 Belgium
Lineups
While its very difficult to predict the line-up across both matches for Ireland‚ there is widely expected to be plenty of rotation between both games with the newbies into the squad integrated with minutes while the likes of Ebosele could see increased involvement. Jake OBrien is having a brilliant season for Lyon and is likely to be given minutes at CB as a reward for his brilliant form. Finn Azaz is a technical midfielder with an ability Irish squads have lacked for some time too. Finally‚ the headline name‚ Sammie Szmodics looks set to play for Ireland and the Championship top-scorer who has 27 Goals and 3 Assists in all competitions this season will be a huge goal threat for Ireland.