Sweden v Belgium EURO 2024 Qualifiers: Preview, Odds, Predictions (March 24)
The Storyline
A team of superstars who crashed out of the World Cup at the group stage against an outperforming underdog who didn’t make it to Qatar.
As Belgium prepare to take on Sweden in the opening match of EURO 2024 qualifying Group F, can De Bruyne and co get back to their best? Or could a Zlatan Ibrahimovic cameo derail the Red Devils?
Nuts & Bolts
Belgium will kick off their journey to the EUROs with both a new manager and a new captain.
Roberto Martinez’s six year tenure as the Belgian head coach ended in disappointment after a disastrous World Cup campaign, and former captain Eden Hazard has since announced his retirement from international football.
The No. 1 FIFA ranked side were eliminated in the group stage in Qatar, managing just one win against Canada and racking up only a single goal across 270 minutes of football.
It was a crushing blow for a side who finished third at the 2018 World Cup and made it to the quarterfinals of the last European Championships in 2021.
New manager Domenico Tedesco has enjoyed success with RB Leipzig and Schalke in the Bundesliga, but only time will tell if the 37 year old can get the best out of this immensely talented - but underperforming - squad.
Much of that will likely rest on Manchester City’s Kevin De Bryune, who’ll now wear the captain’s armband and hope to recreate his club form on the international stage. The midfield talisman has already racked up six goals and 21 assists for City man in all competitions this season and will pose a real threat in the Group F opener.
Sweden come into Friday’s match as underdogs, but Janne Andersson’s side are unbeaten in their last five matches and boast an impressive lineup of attacking talent.
With Man United’s Anthony Enlanga, Tottenham’s Dejan Kulusevski, and Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, the Sweden team sheet packs a serious Premier League punch, and the return of AC Milan’s Zlatan Imbrahimic will bring a winners mentality to the dressing room as well.
Homestand Picks
All odds courtesy of Northstar Bets
All the pressure will be on Belgium here, and with Sweden boosted by a run of good results we’re picking the home team to come away with at least a point on Friday.
Belgium have only one goal to show for their last three matches, and the Swedes have also featured in low scoring games in their recent outings.
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