Belgium begin their bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup when they meet North Macedonia at the Tose Proeski Arena on Friday night.
The Red Devils are having to play catch up in Group J as they were involved in the Nations League during the most recent international window.
Rudi Garcia’s side staged a remarkable turnaround to preserve their Group A status, overturning a 3-1 first leg loss to defeat Ukraine 4-3 on aggregate.
Thus, Belgium should be in high spirits when they begin their World Cup qualifying campaign in Skopje on Friday night.
Meanwhile, North Macedonia have already fulfilled two of their Group J assignments, picking up four points in the process.
Blagoja Milevski’s men made light work of Liechtenstein before conceding a last-gasp equaliser in their last outing with Wales.
How the bookies view it: Red Devils to reign supreme
Priced up at 1/3 on Boylesports, Belgium are expected to hit the ground running by banking all three points on Friday night.
A second stalemate in succession for North Macedonia can be backed at 7/2 on Boylesports, while a home win is trading at 15/2 with the same bookmaker.
Head to head: History book dormant
North Macedonia and Belgium have only come up against each other twice to date, both of which were during the qualifying stages for the 2014 World Cup. Belgium won both of those matches, keeping a clean sheet in each of those respective successes – a repeat here pays 21/20 (Boylesports).
Players to watch: Lukaku work a look
After taking his international tally to a remarkable 88 goals across his 122 appearances against Ukraine last time out, Romelu Lukaku looks too big to ignore for an anytime strike on Friday night at 10/11 on Boylesports.
With 17 bookings to his name across his 83 appearances for his country, Ezgjan Alioski looks worthy of consideration to commit two or more fouls at 9/4 on PaddyPower.
Predicted line-ups
North Macedonia manager Milevski will have to make at least one change as defender Nikola Serafimov will have to serve a one-match suspension, while Darko Velkovski is ruled out through injury.
Belgium’s already large injury list has expanded further, with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois set to miss out here due to a back issue.
North Macedonia: Dimitrievski; Zajkov, Ashkovski, Musliu; Ilievski, Alimi, Kostadinov, Alioski; Bardhi, Miovski, Elmas
Belgium: Sels; Meunier, Faes, Debast, Theate; De Bruyne, Tielemans; Vanaken Trossard, Doku; Lukaku
Anything else catch the eye?
Backing both teams to score looks well worthy of support at odds of 11/10 on Boylesports.
North Macedonia have made the net bulge in each of their last 13 home matches, with both teams scoring in a noteworthy nine of those contests.
As for Belgium, BTTS has landed in each of their recent two away days at Ukraine and Italy, and that only adds to the appeal of siding with the same selection on Friday night.
GambleAware