Belgium Slovakia betting tip & the best odds for the match in Group E
The Belgian national team is in a critical transition phase. Many stars are already past their prime, but a young generation of equally talented players is emerging.
Their attacking department, in which Romelu Lukaku will join Jeremy Doku on the goalscoring trail, is a perfect example of this process, with young players complementing ageing veterans.
Meanwhile, in my Belgium Slovakia tip for the Red Devils’ opening game, I assume that the existing quality in coach Domenico Tedesco’s squad will be enough for a win over the Eastern Europeans in the financial capital
Slovakia are taking part in a major tournament for the fourth time since the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, following the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 and 2020 editions of the European Championship.
However, on paper, there are much more unpleasant opponents that they could come up against right at the start of this European Championship. After all, the mostly hapless Eastern Europeans have never made it past the round of 16 so far.
Meanwhile, I have placed my European Championship bets with regard to the Belgium Slovakia odds offered by the bookmakers. These were even decisive for some of my hot tips that I have been working on for you over the last few days
The bookmakers’ Belgium – Slovakia prediction
There are games in this Euro 2024 in which there is no favorite, and some in which there is. However, I have yet to come across a real David versus Goliath pairing.
The Belgium Slovakia odds, meanwhile, fall into the second category. The Belgium odds of around 1.50 for an opening three-goal win signal confidence in a victory for the “Red Devils”, but without taking it for granted.
Conversely, the bookies are much more generous when it comes to betting in the other direction. A draw, for example, promises a win factor of around 4.40, while the Slovakia odds are even close to 6.75.
Belgium – Slovakia odds: Where are the highest Belgium odds?
The highest payouts are available from various of the European Championship betting providers we have reviewed, but with regard to the Belgium Slovakia odds, the offer from the state provider Oddset convinced us the most.
Everything is just right here, from the extensive offer to various exclusive special bets, some of which I will introduce to you in more detail in a moment.
Analysis: Belgium vs Slovakia
Many sports betting fans wave off Belgium with disinterest! This selection has already disappointed in previous tournaments and is also considered to be over-aged in various positions. How many more tournaments does Vertonghen want to play in?
But I believe that Domenico Tedesco has done a good job in terms of squad transformation on the Belgian bench after his dismissal at RB Leipzig. There is certainly no shortage of up-and-coming talent such as Doku or Onana.
Meanwhile, the road to Germany was a walk in the park. Belgium finished first in their qualifying group with 20 points – the sixth time in a row that they have finished top of their group in a qualifying campaign for a major tournament.
What’s more, they have also extended their unbeaten run in World Cup and European Championship qualifiers to 40 games in a row (35 wins, 5 draws).
Slovakia will enter this European Championship final round with a coach who now has to take flight.
Napoli hired Antonio Conte a few days ago, so Francesco Calzona wants to stand out in Germany with good performances in order to attract the attention of another well-known employer.
His national team has already scored eight goals in June, giving him plenty of confidence.
Even if half of these goals were scored in a test match against soccer powerhouse San Marino (also 4:0) after the outstanding 4:0 win over Wales
It’s interesting to note that if in doubt, you should opt for either the Belgium odds or the Slovakia odds. Because a draw has not been in the Red Devils’ bag for over 44 years!
Keep in mind: None of Belgium’s last 17 matches at the UEFA EURO have ended in a draw (9 wins, 8 defeats). This streak began in the 1980 final with a 2-1 defeat to West Germany.
Analysis of odds
Come on in, because I’ve picked out some great betting offers in this section and added the respective Belgium Slovakia odds.
A Belgian victory after a goal in the first half of the match is my priority. That’s why I decided on a bet along the lines of “1/1” at current odds of 2.25.
The Slovaks shouldn’t score any goals, but the Belgians should. And in this respect, I think Lukaku and Openda have the best chances in Domenico Tedesco’s team.
But apparently so do the bookies, as the respective goal odds of both players are very similar at around 1.80.
Belgium vs. Slovakia odds: The resting ball decides!
I can already see it: Kevin de Bruyne either curls the ball over the wall into the far corner himself or finds the head of Romelu Lukaku. Either way, a set-piece goal could decide the game.
The Belgians are good in this discipline, while their upcoming opponents urgently need to put in some extra training sessions in this area.
Keep in mind: No team has conceded more goals from set-pieces in the last two European Championship finals than Slovakia (7 out of a total of 13 goals conceded).
Lukaku is simply the man for the big moments
The scenario I outlined earlier, according to which De Bruyne would send the ball over Romelu Lukaku into the opposition net from a free kick or corner kick, is by no means far-fetched.
After all, no European player has provided more assists at major international tournaments since the 2014 FIFA World Cup than Kevin De Bruyne – nine (5 at the UEFA EURO, 4 at the FIFA World Cup).
This means that the injury-prone Manchester City man with over 100 international caps remains the main driving force in the Belgian attack
On the other hand, Lois Openda and Jeremi Doku are the two Belgian attackers who have certainly had the better season at club level than Romelu Lukaku.
But it remains the Roma player who, with 11 goals in 22 World Cup and European Championship games, remains the most successful Belgian striker at major tournaments – and will be for the foreseeable future!
“Big Rom” was also the top scorer in the EURO 2024 qualifying campaign with 14 goals in eight games.
Lukaku averaged a goal every 39 minutes and also converted almost half of his shots (29).
Moreover, it is simply time for the Red Devils to join forces and finally show their critics what they are really capable of.
Since they reached the final against West Germany in 1980 (their best finish at the tournament), Belgium have never reached the semi-finals of the UEFA European Championship.
In each of the last two editions, they were eliminated in the quarter-finals.
My Belgium Slovakia tip:
The Belgians have a great team that many people don’t really take seriously in my eyes.
In my opinion, Domenico Tedesco has done an excellent job and managed to ensure that the Red Devils haven’t lost another international match since the World Cup exit against Morocco in November 2022.
On the other hand, the Slovakians have some really good players in their ranks, which is why it will be anything but a walk in the park for the favorites. Nevertheless, I see BEL just ahead in the end.
So my Belgium Slovakia betting tip is: Belgium wins & Lukaku scores
