European countries are not credited with the first chance to win the World Cup 2014 and Belgium is certainly not among the favorites. Nevertheless, they are one of the few teams that can produce a major upset in Brazil while making a deep run against all odds. The team grew a lot over the last couple of years and they took everyone by surprise by qualifying from a rather difficult group.
They've got a handful of skilled players and are one of the best defensive teams, but there is plenty of room for improvement in the defense and midfield. Their best placement so far happened back in 1986 when the team finished in the fourth position, but most Belgians supporters no longer remember that achievement. Bookmakers are not very generous when it comes to the odds given for a Belgium victory in Brazil, an event that is credited with the odds of 15 to 1.
Group stage and event prospects
Belgium will be playing against Russia, South Korea and Algeria in the group stage and not surprisingly, they are the top favorites. In fact, the bookies are so confident that the Western Europeans will progress with ease, that the odds for them to win Group H are only 1.66 with Bet365. There is very little value in these odds, even though Russia seems to be the only real counter candidate, with both Algeria and South Korea being clear outsiders.
The challenge is to survive in the elimination rounds, where Belgium will probably meet stronger teams or at least opponents that are more experienced. Playing everything on one card is risky, but this is exactly what they will be doing at the World Cup 2014, with the offensive being there best asset. They need to exercise pressure over weaker opponents, in order to get a competitive edge and their strategy at this tournament will be to score one more goal than the opponents.
Key players for Belgium at the World Cup
As expected, the best players in their starting formation are strikers, with Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard being the ones that are expected to carry Belgium. The first is also the top favorite when it comes to scoring goals and Bet365 offers odds of 34.00 on par with Balotelli, Negredo, Gomez and Cavani. Lukaku is obviously in select company. Even though he is less experienced than his main counter candidates, is going to have many opportunities to score against Algeria and South Korea.
Hazard is not only a gifted striker, but also an intelligent playmaker that can provide the spark needed for Belgium to outshine better opponents. As long as Thibaut Courtois stays healthy, the goal is in good hands but the defensive line led by Vincent Kompany will need to do its part. Jan Vertonghen and Axel Witsel will need to rise to the occasion and do their very best, in order to keep the team alive long enough for the strikers to score the decisive goals.
The bottom line
It is going to be very difficult for Belgium to make a deep run in Brazil, not because they lack talented players, but because they are inexperienced. As far as punters are concerned, there is no value in backing them to win the group stage, but speculative odds of 15.00 for the Europeans to win the trophy are quite tempting. An even better option is to take a leap of faith with Lukaku for the sake of those generous odds, hoping that he will score most of his goals against the weaker opponents in Group H.
