Belgium face Slovakia in their opening Group E fixture at Waldstadion, Frankfurt in UEFA Euro 2024.
Depending upon the outcome of Romania’s clash against Ukraine, victory could see Belgium or Slovakia go top of Group E.
Team News
Belgium have no fresh injury concerns to report with a full squad in contention, which include Thomas Kaminski, Wout Faes, Kevin De Bruyne and Leandro Trossard amongst familiar names.
Slovakia have no fresh injury concerns to report with Newcastle’s Martin Dubravka set to start in goal, whilst Fulham goalkeeper, Marek Rodak is also in the squad.
When is Kick-Off?
Belgium face Slovakia at Frankfurt Arena, Frankfurt, Germany, at 6pm CEST (5pm UK Time), live on ITV1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is Belgium’s first competitive meeting against Slovakia at a major tournament.
- Slovakia are winless in three previous meetings against Belgium which all came in friendlies (D2, L1).
- Belgium are yet to keep a clean sheet against Slovakia.
- Leandro Trossard has scored in Belgium’s last two matches (W2), and the Belgians have kept clean sheets in the last four matches in which Trossard scored in.
- Slovakia have scored eight goals in their last two matches without conceding (W2).
Prediction
Although they are amongst those expected to go deep in this tournament, Belgium at least have the pressure off them with that ‘Golden Generation’ tag no longer applicable which should help them in a game and group that they should win.
Slovakia meanwhile aren’t a team to write off because although they didn’t have an stand-out individual goalscorer in Qualifying, this side didn’t tend to concede many but I do expect them to do more defending here.
In fact unless Slovakia produce a smash-and-grab, I do expect Belgium to take a routine win.
Prediction: Belgium 2-0 Slovakia
Result: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia