In the high-stakes encounter in the UEFA Nations League this Sunday, Israel and Belgium come face-to-face, with both sides fighting for their lives to avoid relegation from League A Group 2. With Belgium needing to sidestep an automatic demotion by avoiding a three-goal loss and Israel seeking a slim chance of entering the relegation playoff, the showdown at Bozsik Arena in Budapest is expected to be packed with tension and drama.
Match Preview: Israel vs. Belgium
Belgium:
The Nations League campaign of Belgium has been one of missed opportunities. Slim quarter-final hopes were finally extinguished in midweek as a 1-0 defeat to Italy made it three defeats in five games, with a slip by Maxim De Cuyper allowing Italy’s solitary goal and key chances spurned by Belgium.
Coach Domenico Tedesco came under attack as the general performance from the team was below par, including their failure in the Euro 2024 tournament. The losers, with only one victory in the last seven encounters, will have to make up or get relegated into the playoff for relegation against Israel.
Selection without key players like Kevin De Bruyne, who was rumored to be quitting international games after Euro 2024, had increased the ordeal in the squad. Tensions were also part of the things faced in the squad as some players, including their stranded keeper Thibaut Courtois, had been involved in controversies.
Israel:
This has been a campaign of heavy fighting uphill for Israel. Ranked 81st by FIFA, they are seated at the bottom of Group 2 with just one point from five matches. Their only realistic hopes of avoiding direct relegation stand on a three-goal win over Belgium-a monumental task even considering their 0-0 draw against France earlier in the week.
This has been further compounded by their defensive displays, such as the heroics from goalkeeper Daniel Peretz in Paris. However, scoring goals and sustaining any consistency against better-ranked teams has been their Achilles heel.
Form Guide
Israel Nations League Form: LLLLD
Israel Overall Form: WLLLLD
Belgium Nations League Form: WLDLL
Belgium Overall Form: LWLDLL
Team News and Predicted Lineups
Belgium:
Tedesco can do that for a more attacking lineup, and Dodi Lukebakio and Johan Bakayoko can give them width to complement Romelu Lukaku and Lois Openda up front. Without some star players like De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku, Belgium have some big tests ahead to see how their depth does.
Predicted Belgium XI:
Casteels; Castagne, Debast, Faes, Theate; Mangala, Onana; Lukebakio, Trossard, Bakayoko; Lukaku
Israel:
Israel will most likely return to the defensive 5-4-1 that held France without much trouble. The attack may feature either Dor Turgeman or Dean David, with the returning Manor Solomon supporting them, along with creative midfielder Oscar Gloukh. With injured goalkeeper Omri Glazer, Daniel Peretz is tipped to start.
Predicted Israel XI:
Peretz; Dasa, Nachimas, Shlomo, Goldberg, Haziza; Solomon, Abu Fani, Jaber, Gloukh; David
Prediction: Israel 0-2 Belgium
In the final match against Israel in Hungary, Belgium was in full control, dominating possession and pummeling the goal with 25 shots. Though out of form, the Red Devils are more than likely to break down the Israel defense and earn a much-needed victory to end their Group 2 campaign on a high note.
