Euro 2016
2015-03-31 - Israel vs Belgium
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: Euro 2016 Qualifier
Tuesday 31 March 2015 Kick Off 7:45pm
Israel
The Group may show Israel to be in a strong position, but the 0-3 home loss to Wales is a big blow for their chances in qualifying for the European Championship in France in 2016. That defeat makes their second qualifier this week imperative for Israel to avoid defeat as they take on the favourites for the section in Belgium and they will be expecting to produce a much better home performance than the one they had on Saturday.
That loss dropped Israel to 2nd place in the Group, but they have a chance to return to the top of the section with a victory. A bigger concern for the home supporters may be the fact that they could be knocked out of the two automatic qualification positions with a defeat, although Israel have to be thinking they can at least reach the Play Offs for a place in the Finals.
Israel had won 4 games in a row including all 3 qualifiers before the home loss to Wales which came in such surprising one-sided fashion. They have won just 1 of their last 6 home games overall and only 1 of their last 5 home qualifiers, although Israel suffered their second home loss in 6 qualifiers.
Eitan Tibi is suspended having been sent off at the weekend.
Belgium
With the injuries in the Cyprus squad as they travelled to Belgium on Saturday it was expected the home team would cruise and Belgium certainly did that. They are once again amongst the favourites to qualify for the European Championships, but would feel a lot better if they can win this game.
In fact the next two games could be critical for Belgium who are 3rd in the Group but face the two teams above them both away from home in their next qualifiers. However, there is plenty to earn by winning this game which would actually move Belgium to the top of the Group on goal difference and would put them in a very strong position to earn an automatic place in France 2016.
Belgium are now unbeaten in 6 games since the World Cup and they have won 4 of those games although the last 5 games have seen them interchange wins and draws. They might have had to settle for a draw in Bosnia and Herzegovina in their only away game in the qualifiers so far, but Belgium did win all 5 away qualifiers in the World Cup campaign last time out.
Head to Head
This is the first time Israel will play Belgium since 1988 and that was a game won by the Belgian team 2-3.
Prediction
I don't think many would have tipped Wales to beat Israel on Saturday, let alone beat them as convincingly as they did, and it could be more disappointment for the home team in this one. A win over Wales would have put Israel in a great position to qualify for the European Championship in France next summer, but now they might do well to simply get themselves in 3rd and a Play Off unless they can surprise Belgium.
It is a big ask for them to do that against a Belgium team that is considered amongst the favourites to win the European Championship and who had a confidence boosting win on Saturday. Belgium were also very strong away from home in their last World Cup qualifier and have threats all over the frontline which can produce the magic to win the game.
The price on Belgium has come in dramatically since Saturday and the results these two nations earned, but I do like the Belgium team to win this game. However, it might make most sense to back them to win to nil which is how Israel have lost each of their last 3 home qualifiers.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Israel 0-2 Belgium
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Belgium Win to Nil @ 2.40 (Bet Victor)
