2018 World Cup Betting Predictions: Belgium vs. Tunisia Odds
Belgium looked the part as the favourite to win Group G in their opening match with a 3-0 victory over Panama. They sit in first place in the Group and look primed to advance with a win over Tunisia on Saturday. The Tunisians hung tough with England only to concede in stoppage time, so they really need at least a point here as big underdogs.
Belgium vs. Tunisia Odds and Betting Analysis
World Cup Betting Odds: Belgium -402
Date: June 23, 8:00 AM ET
To say the odds are stacked against Tunisia here would be an understatement. Just one team in World Cup history has gone more than their 12 games without a victory – South Korea went 14 games without a win from 1954-1998.
Tunisia knows it needs to step up early to keep this game from getting out of hand. If they’re able to head into the half with a draw (+142) they’ll be delighted, but they’ll have to be water-tight at the back for that to happen.
For Belgium, Romelu Lukaku is at +264 to score the first goal and -146 to score anytime after his hot start and early action expects this match to finish over the 2.5 (-125) goal total. Bettors also like Belgium to score three or more goals at +133.
Belgium
Most teams would be more than satisfied with a 3-0 victory to start the World Cup. Not Belgium. Even though scoring machine Lukaku scored a brace in that match, he and the rest of the side was challenged by team captain Eden Hazard after the game. Hazard said they needed Lukaku more involved all over the pitch – instead of focusing on a final scoring touch – and more intensity across the board. There’s some truth to that. Belgium had a largely sleepy first half against Panama before turning it on in the second 45. Belgium supporters have to be pleased that their club doesn’t seem to be taking anything for granted in this tournament.
Tunisia
The first 15 or 20 minutes will be key for Tunisia in this one as they try to pull themselves up off the mat following their heartbreaking loss to England. Despite that loss, they showed a lot of grit at the back and were very difficult to play against all day. Tunisia parked the bus in front of their goal when they were tied with England and will do just that again if given the opportunity here. They’ll have to be just as physical on Saturday too, but should be warned that the officials on the field and in the sky will be watching closely after they could have been called for a number of fouls in the box in their first game.
Belgium vs. Tunisia Prediction
Belgium 2 vs. Tunisia 0
Tunisia is the type of scrappy team that could get under Belgium’s skin and frustrate them – for a while. Eventually, though, expect Belgium’s quality to come through to produce at least a couple of goals.