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Greece – Belgium (World Cup 2018)

The Greek and Belgian national teams are in action this Sunday at the Karaiskakis Stadium, in Piraeus, for the 8th round of Group H of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The Greeks fall behind expectations on their last matchday, drawing to zero at the reception to Estonia, but were lucky with the defeat of Bosnia-Herzegovina at the hands of Cyprus. Belgium, on the other hand, matched their expectations and trashed Gibraltar by 9-0, strengthening their lead at the top of the group.

Greece are in 2nd place in Group H with 13 points, result of 3 wins and 4 draws, with 10 goals scored and 3 goals conceded. The Greeks have made a good campaign so far in this group stage, but lately they have fallen short of expectations, having drawn for the fourth consecutive time on they last matchday, with a disappointing 0-0 at home, against Estonia. Fortunately, Bosnia-Herzegovina  were defeated against Cyprus and continue 2 points behind them, but a victory here is now mandatory or they can say good bye to this 2nd place.

There a few well-known names in this national team, such as the goalkeeper Karnezis, the defenders Torosidis, Sokratis and Kostas Manolas, midfielders like Samaris and the forward Mitroglou. The Greeks have also shown a very good defensive organization, conceding only 3 goals in 7 matches, while Mitroglou is their main offensive reference, having scored 3 of the team’s 10 goals in Group H.

In their 3 official matches this year, Greece have a record of 3 draws. This sequence of results began with a 1-1 draw against Belgium. This result was followed by a 0-0 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina, and a 0-0 draw at home against Estonia.

Probable Lineup: Karnezis – Torosidis, Sokratis, Manolas and Stafylidis – Zeca and Tziolis – Mantalos, Fortounis and Bakasetas – Mitroglou.

Belgium, on their turn, is the isolated leader in Group H with 19 points, result of 6 wins and 1 draw, with 33 goals scored and only 2 conceded. Belgium is considered to be one of the most talented squads today and were very lucky of being inserted in a group that is very accessible to them, giving the Belgians the chance to grow as a team and increase their chances of wreaking havoc in the World Cup. The Red Devils arrive here very confidents after a easy win at the reception of Gibraltar’s national team, beating them by 9-0, with Thomas Meunier in the spotlight after scoring 3 goals and 3 assists.

Coach Roberto Martinez can boast about having a squad with an exorbitant quality, having one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Thibaut Courtois, talented and experienced defenders like Thomas Meunier, Alderweireld, Kompany, among others, a solid and organized midfield with Witsel, Dembélé and Kevin De Bruyne, and a fast, talented and deadly attack with Hazard, Lukaku, Carrasco, Mertens, among others. The Red Devils arrive here without pressure, since a victory here would be enough to see them qualify as group leaders to the World Cup.

In their 3 official games this year, Belgium has a record of 2 wins and 1 draw. This sequence of results began with a 1-1 draw against Greece. It was followed by a 0-2 victory over Estonia, and on the last round, a 9-0 win against Gibraltar.

Probable Lineup: Courtois – Vertonghen, Alderweireld and Kompaney – Dembélé – Meunier, Hazard, De Bruyne and Carrasco – Lukaku and Mertens.

In the last 18 years there have been 4 direct confrontations, with 2 of them finishing tied and with each of the teams to win 1.

The Greeks are extremely defensive and will try very hard not to concede goals here in order to avoid defeat. However, Belgium have an impressive offensive quality, and although it is difficult to dismantle the Greek defensive web, the Red Devils should have what it takes to win the 3 points.