Estonia vs Belgium prediction: EUROPE: Euro – Qualification betting tips on match 2023-06-19 18:45.
Estonia’s wait for a UEFA European Championship qualifying (ECQ) victory continued after surrendering the lead in a 1-1 draw with Azerbaijan last round. It has now been almost eight years since the Blueshirts last won an ECQ match (September 2015; D2, L11 since), while their winless start to this qualifying campaign (D1, L1) means they’re already desperate for points if they’re to reach their first major tournament.
The visit of the fourth-highest ranked nation in the world therefore comes at a poor time, especially as Estonia have lost seven of eight H2Hs (W1) against upcoming opponents Belgium. Each of the last four have ended in defeat, owing to an average of 4.5 goals conceded per game, so Thomas Häberli’s men will need to be in top shape defensively if they’re to earn anything from their next meeting.
Belgium will be looking to take control of Group F after a disappointing 1-1 draw with leaders Austria on Saturday, a game in which manager Domenico Tedesco thought his side “lacked intensity” as they remained three points adrift of their opponents, albeit having played one game fewer. A trip to the Baltic region offers an opportunity to close in and the Red Devils will certainly be confident of doing so after winning each of their last eight ECQ away matches.
Belgium have also won their last two road trips while scoring three goals in each, so even without Kevin De Bruyne and the now retired Eden Hazard, their attack certainly remains potent. Record goalscorer Romelu Lukaku will be hoping to power them to next year’s finals in Germany, but reaching major tournaments has hardly proved challenging for Belgium in recent times, with their last 58 qualifiers for European and World Championships producing just two defeats (W45, D11)!
Players to watch: Estonia forward Rauno Sappinen scored both of his side’s goals in this ECQ campaign between the 20th and 30th minutes. Opposite number Lukaku has netted four of his 73 international goals against the Estonians as part of a 100% winning H2H record.
Hot stat: Belgium’s 1-1 draw with Austria was their first ECQ stalemate since November 2014.