After a very strong showing at the World Cup to finish in third place, much will be expected once again of Beligum next summer, when they presumably head to the Euro 2020 finals. They will of course have to qualify first, but with the group they have been handed that should be a fairly easy task. Their toughest opponents look like being Russia, who they take on in the first game, but there is a big gulf in class between these two, and the Russians should not pose much of a threat to the Belgians. Anything other than seeing Belgium qualify as group winners here would be a huge shock, and it is not even worth mentioning the chances of them not qualifying at all, as they seem non-existent.

Russia come into this tournament on the back of a better showing than most expected from them at the World Cup, eventually losing to Croatia on penalties in the quarter finals. That was very good to see, and should have installed some confidence back into the team, although they now have to prove they can play that well away from home, which has been a problem in the past for them. Their home form could be what takes them through, but they have to pick points up away from home too, with Scotland and Cyprus waiting to capitalise on any slip ups they have.

Can Russia Qualify for Euro 2020?

This is the big question from this group. Russia are second favourites for it, which puts them as strong favourites to qualify in one of the top two positions, but can they do it. Before the World Cup you would have had to question that, as they looked a poor side, especially away from home. However, hosting the World Cup and doing so well gave them a new lease of life, and they have to try and use that as a positive here.

There is no doubt they can make things tough for their opponents when they are at home, but do they have what it takes to go to Scotland or Cyprus and come away with three points. They are going to have to do that if they want to qualify, and that will be the test for them. The two mentioned teams, Scotland and Cyprus look to be the two dangers to them, but they have a similar problem with their away form too. Can either of them go into Russia and take something, while also avoiding the potential banana skin of Kazakhstan, who certainly won’t make things easy.

There looks to be a three way battle set in this group for who is going to claim the second qualifying spot behind Belgium. If you compare the teams on paper, and especially if you base things on what we saw last year from these teams then Russia are clearly the best of the three, and they should qualify with ease. I expect they will be strong at home, but that is not guaranteed away from home, which has the potential to cause them problems.

Of the two dangers, Scotland are the team I think will run Russia close, and the two games between them two will certainly be big ones. There are others in the group to cause problems though, and while Cyprus and Kazakhstan are likely to fall short of what is required to finish second, they do have the ability to be tough to beat at home and influence who gets that position.

Belgium vs Russia Betting Tips

A game where Belgium are the strong favourites to win and that is no surprise to see. I think they will know that Russia are their strongest test in the group, and they will take this game seriously, wanting to lay down a marker in their opening game. There is a lot to like about this Belgian side and when they start firing they can score for fun with the players they have in their squad.

Russia have to prove they can play better away from home and that is the one big doubt hanging over them for this group. If they can play well away from home, it is likely they will qualify, while if they don’t then Scotland will fancy their chances of claiming second spot.

This is a tough start for Russia, and certainly not a place where I think they can get anything from, regardless of how they play. I think this will turn out to be a comfortable night for Belgium, with a big win kicking off their qualification campaign in style. I am backing Belgium to win this one on the -1 handicap line, which needs them to win by two or more goals, something I think they will do on Thursday.

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