Belgium will be looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the European Championship qualifiers as they travel to Azerbaijan for a Group F fixture. The Azerbaijanis are winless in the campaign and should be no match for the superior quality of the Belgians.
It has been a difficult start to the European Championship qualifiers for Azerbaijan, who are currently bottom of Group F. They are yet to secure a win in the competition having secured just one draw and suffered two defeats in their three matches so far.
After beginning with a 4-1 defeat to Austria and a 5-1 hammering in Sweden, Azerbaijan played out a 1-1 draw with Estonia in their previous fixture. They were made to come from behind with Anton Krivostyuk’s effort midway through the second half earning them a share of the spoils.
Despite all their struggles, Azerbaijan have something to hold on to on Saturday having shown some quality in their recent fixtures in front of their fans. Giovanni De Biasi’s men have claimed two wins and a draw from their last three home matches.
Following a disappointing campaign at the Qatar 2022 World Cup, Belgium appointed Domenico Tedesco to lead the new era. The former RB Leipzig boss has begun his tenure on a positive note and is yet to taste defeat after four matches in charge.
Belgium are surprisingly playing catch-up to Austria in Group F as they sit three points off the pace. However, they have played a game less and are still unbeaten after claiming two wins and a draw from their opening three matches.
The Belgians have won their last three away matches across all competitions under Tedesco, scoring nine goals and keeping two clean sheets in that run. They claimed a 3-0 victory in Estonia in their previous qualifying fixture with Romelu Lukaku netting a brace.
How the bookies view it
Belgium have been installed as overwhelming favourites by the bookies and are priced at 1/5 by bet365. An unlikely win for Azerbaijan is valued at 14/1 by 888Sport while William Hill is offering odds of 6/1 for a draw.
Head to head
Belgium have never lost to Azerbaijan, claiming three wins and a draw from four previous meetings. That draw came in their last meeting as the Azerbaijanis held out for a 1-1 scoreline during the Euro 2012 qualifiers.
Players to watch
Despite his recent struggles club level, Romelu Lukaku continues to bring the quality for Belgium. The striker has seven goals in his last four international appearances and is priced at 4/6 by Paddy Power to find the net on Saturday.
Tedesco has brought some defensive solidity to Belgium, who have kept clean sheets in two of their last three qualifying matches. Veteran centre-back Jan Vertonghen remains as influential as ever and can lead the team to another clean sheet at 4/6 with bet365.
Anything else catch the eye?
Belgium have won to nil in two of their three qualifying matches and could be set for a similar outcome at 10/11 with Paddy Power. Given their attacking quality, a -2 handicap can also be considered at 15/8 with Paddy Power.
The Belgians are expected to be dominant on Saturday and can be tipped to win both halves at 8/5 with Paddy Power.
This Euro 2024 match between Azerbaijan and Belgium will be played on Sep 9, 2023 and kick off at 14:00. Check below for our tipsters best Azerbaijan vs Belgium prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
