IRELAND entertain a Belgium side missing many of their big guns on Saturday in Dublin as manager Stephen Kenny tries to kickstart his tenure.
Kenny was awarded a new contract after slight signs of improvement following wins away in the World Cup qualifiers in Azerbaijan and Luxembourg.
However, that was after 12 competitive games without a win and victories against those minnows will have to be backed up with some more substantial results.
Kenny has named a decent enough squad for the games against the FIFA No.1 ranked team and the friendly against Lithuania next week.
But Roberto Martinez won't have the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard in Dublin. Liverpool's Divock Origi and Leicester City's Youri Tielemans are perhaps the stand-out names in a squad still packed with quality. They go on to play Burkina Faso on Tuesday.
Belgium sailed through their World Cup qualifying group as usual and again the spotlight will be on a nation who have gained a reputation as underachievers in major tournaments and are running out of time for their golden generation to shine.
How the bookies view it
Despite a depleted squad, Belgium are still massive favourites at 8/15 with Boylesports. The Irish can be backed at 6/1 with Betfred and the draw is 11/4 with bet365.
Recent head to heads
The nations have only met once and Belgium walloped Ireland 3-0 at the Euro 2016 Finals in France as can be seen below.
Players to watch
West Brom striker Callum Robinson is likely to lead the line for Ireland in what could be a thankless task. He scored for the Irish in Luxembourg and has ten goals for the season. He's 4/1 to score on Saturday with Coral.
Michy Batshuayi is on loan at Besiktas from Chelsea and could be set for a start here for Belgium after six goals in his last ten games in Turkey. He's 6/4 with Paddy Power to score at the Aviva.
Anything else catch the eye?
As always with international friendlies, it's a case of tread carefully with line-ups being of utmost importance.
Belgium's record in friendlies isn't overly impressive either. They've only drawn against Greece and Ivory Coast recently and narrowly won in Iceland.
They are facing an Ireland side in transition, but they will at least have a go at home and Belgium did concede to Estonia home and away in the World Cup qualifiers.
With nothing to lose, Belgium could squeeze home in an entertaining encounter. The both teams to score and the Belgians to win price is worth a go at a nice 16/5 with Betfred.
Belgium to win by one goal at 23/10 with Boylesports might have a chance too as it's unlikely Ireland will be thrashed here by their understrength visitors.
This International Friendly match between Ireland and Belgium will be played on Mar 26, 2022 and kick off at 17:00. Check below for our tipsters best Ireland vs Belgium prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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