Belgium v Greece betting tips: De Bruyne absent for Red Devils
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Belgium face Greece on Thursday and England’s group opponents Croatia on Sunday in two friendlies before Euro 2020 starts in earnest on June 11.
The Red Devils are 1/4 to beat the 2004 European champions and third favourites at 11/2 to win their first major tournament, although they are sweating on Kevin De Bruyne’s participation.
Roberto Martinez’s side take on Denmark, Russia and Finland in Group B but they start their preparations in Brussels and we have looked at the odds and markets to help with your Belgium v Greece betting tips.
Match Odds
Since winning the European Championship with an ultra-defensive team, the Greeks have been viewed as a difficult side to beat and one which generally struggles in front of goal.
Greece failed to qualify for Euro 2020, scoring just 12 times and conceding 14 in 10 games, so we go 21/20 Belgium to win and under 3.5 goals.
All but two of Greece’s matches produced fewer than three goals, including 2-0 and 3-0 defeats to Italy which can be backed at 5/1 and 6/1 respectively.
However, John van’t Schip’s side drew 1-1 with Spain in a World Cup qualifier recently and the game to finish even is available at 9/2.
Belgium, of course, were the top scorers in qualifying with 40 from their 10 games, with all five of their home games producing at least three goals, so a win by that method is 4/5.
They also won by at least three goals in seven of their matches and that can be backed at 15/8 while a win and both teams to score is 2/1.
Belgium have conceded in three of their last four matches against Czech Republic, Denmark and Wales, so Greece have a good chance of breaking through.
Talking Tactics
De Bruyne suffered a fractured nose and eye socket during Manchester City’s Champions League final defeat by Chelsea although he will not require surgery, according to Martinez.
The Belgium schemer will not play on Thursday when Martinez is likely to stick with a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Romelu Lukaku leading the line.
Greece deployed a 4-2-3-1 system against Spain during which Venlo striker Georgios Giakoumakis played as a lone striker.
Goalscorer Odds
Lukaku was Belgium’s top scorer in qualifying with seven and is 23/10 to get the ball rolling or 8/13 to score any time and Thorgan Hazard is 9/1 to break the deadlock or 3/1 to find the net as he did in the 3-1 win against Wales.
Napoli attacker Dries Mertens has scored 21 goals in 96 appearances for Belgium and is 5/1 to score first or 9/5 to find the net.
Match Info
Where: King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels
When: 19:45, Thursday 3rd June
How to watch: Sky Sports
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
