This article is part of our Daily Fantasy Soccer Cheat Sheet series.
MATCH DETAILS
Belgium vs Russia
March 22, 2019
Stade Roi Boudouin, Bruxelles (Brussels)
MATCH PREVIEW
Belgium and Russia kick off their Euro 2020 qualifiers at Stade Roi Boudouin on Friday, with Russia looking to return to winning ways against a very strong Belgium Side.
Belgium are unbeaten in their last 15 home matches, and they will expect to get off to the perfect start at home. The Red Devils were disappointed to not make the 2018 FIFA World Cup final, eventually winning the third-place game. They will certainly be hoping for a positive result when they host Stanislav Cherchesov's men, tthough they'll have to do it without key contributors Romelu Lukaku and Thomas Meunier, who have both withdrawn due to injuries.
On the other hand Russia had a great World Cup, reaching the quarter-final against all odds, including a win against Spain. However, they have since endured back-to-back losses to Germany and Sweden, a slump they will need to bounce back from if they want a chance at qualifying for Euro 2020.
The last fixture between Belgium and Russia was an electrifying encounter that ended in a 3-3 draw, while Belgium's last home defeat came way back in 2010.
PREDICTED LINEUPS
Belgium: Thibaut Courtois (GK), Toby Alderweireld, Dedryck Boyata, Jan Vertonghen, Nacer Chadli, Youri Tielemans, Leander Dendoncker, Thorgan Hazard, Dries Mertens, Michy Batshuayi, Eden Hazard
Russia: Andrey Lunev (GK), Mario Fernandes, Andrey Semenov, Georgi Dzhikiya, Fedor Kudryashov,
MATCH DETAILS
Belgium vs Russia
March 22, 2019
Stade Roi Boudouin, Bruxelles (Brussels)
MATCH PREVIEW
Belgium and Russia kick off their Euro 2020 qualifiers at Stade Roi Boudouin on Friday, with Russia looking to return to winning ways against a very strong Belgium Side.
Belgium are unbeaten in their last 15 home matches, and they will expect to get off to the perfect start at home. The Red Devils were disappointed to not make the 2018 FIFA World Cup final, eventually winning the third-place game. They will certainly be hoping for a positive result when they host Stanislav Cherchesov's men, tthough they'll have to do it without key contributors Romelu Lukaku and Thomas Meunier, who have both withdrawn due to injuries.
On the other hand Russia had a great World Cup, reaching the quarter-final against all odds, including a win against Spain. However, they have since endured back-to-back losses to Germany and Sweden, a slump they will need to bounce back from if they want a chance at qualifying for Euro 2020.
The last fixture between Belgium and Russia was an electrifying encounter that ended in a 3-3 draw, while Belgium's last home defeat came way back in 2010.
PREDICTED LINEUPS
Belgium: Thibaut Courtois (GK), Toby Alderweireld, Dedryck Boyata, Jan Vertonghen, Nacer Chadli, Youri Tielemans, Leander Dendoncker, Thorgan Hazard, Dries Mertens, Michy Batshuayi, Eden Hazard
Russia: Andrey Lunev (GK), Mario Fernandes, Andrey Semenov, Georgi Dzhikiya, Fedor Kudryashov, Yuri Gazinskiy, Magomed Ozdoyev, Aleksei Ionov, Aleksandr Golovin, Denis Cheryshev, Artem Dzyuba
COMBINED XI
PLAYERS RECOMMENDATIONS
Defender: Jan Vertonghen (8.5 credits): Vertonghen will be eager to carry his good form from Tottenham Hotspur, where he is averaging 3.6 clearances and a solid 2.0 tackles per match. Additionally, Vertonghen could be asked to do more in the attack in light of Meunier's absence, which only helps his fantasy upside.
Midfielder: Eden Hazard (10.5 credits): Hazard, whose goal scoring form has dipped over the past few week at Chelsea, is a significant contributor in the Red Devils' attack, as seen by his three goals and two assists in six World Cup matches. He struggled a bit during UEFA Nations League play, but Euro 2020 qualifiers are a great opportunity to step up.
Forward: Dries Mertens (9.5 credits): The Napoli play-maker is another player who will add lots of creativity in the Belgium attack. He has nine goals and nine assists in 26 Serie A matches for Napoli this season, and he could form a dangerous partnership up front with Michy Batshuayi, who is expected to start for the injured Lukaku.
Captain: Eden Hazard
Vice-Captain: Dries Mertens
