Belgium vs Slovakia Prediction: Belgium the clear favorites and over 2.5 goals expected

Both teams are riding high as Slovakia heads to Frankfurt Arena on Monday 17th June 2024 at 19:00 (GMT+3) to take on Belgium in the UEFA European Championship group stage. Slovakia is looking for their fourth straight win, while Belgium have won their last nine games.

This is the first game of the international cup season for both teams. Belgium is playing on the continent for the first time since they were eliminated in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Slovakia is participating on the continental scene for the first time since their Group Stage elimination during the 2022 Qatar World Cup Qualifiers. In their previous meeting, which took place in February 2013, Slovakia was defeated 2-1 by Belgium.

In their last eight games in all competitions, the hosts have scored. Since their match against Croatia in December 2022 for the World Cup, they have been on the scoreboard. 

Belgium has won five of their previous six games across all competitions and drawn one. They led the score in five of the six games during that time, scoring 18 and giving up just three. While their opponents only scored once in the opening forty-five minutes, the majority of their goals—11—came in the first half. In their last six games, Slovakia has won four and lost two. In that span, they scored twelve, gave up seven, and won two of the six games. They scored five goals in the first half, compared to four goals from their opponents before the interval.

Although few people are picking the Red Devils to win this summer, Belgium is still regarded as one of the underdogs to win Euro 2024. However, they might definitely surprise everyone. Domenico Tedesco's team is unbeaten in all competitions since losing 2-0 to Morocco at the 2022 World Cup. They come into the European Championship off the strength of friendly victories against Montenegro and Luxembourg, scoring five goals and allowing zero.

In fact, De Rode Duivels was ousted in the quarterfinals of Euro 2020 and did not go past the group stage of the World Cup, placing third in their group behind Morocco and Croatia. Belgium is the overwhelming favourite to win Group E.

Slovakia will undoubtedly be aiming for second place in Group E, but they might make it to the Euro 2024 knockout phase with a solid third-place showing. Slovakia participated in Euro 2020 but was knocked out in the first round. Slovakia's best-ever finish in the competition came in the last-16 of the 2016 European Championship. 

Coming into their opening match of 2024 at Euro, they won both of their friendly matches, 4-0 over Wales and San Marino. With only one loss in their previous seven games across all competitions, Francesco Calzona's team finished second in their European Championship qualifying group, one point behind Portugal, with 22 points from ten games.

Slovakia will be looking for their first-ever victory over Belgium on Monday. The last time the two teams faced off in an international friendly was in February 2013.

Our database indicates that these two sides have never faced each other. Nonetheless, Slovakia is playing mediocre compared to Belgium. Slovakia scored 1.75 points per game, while Belgium averaged 2.67 points per game.

With the odds of 1.28 for Over 1.5 Goals, expect a goal-filled affair. With Slovakia's defensive shortcomings and Belgium's strong offensive, Over 2.5 Goals at 1.81 could be something to think about. 

In terms of overall statistical and odds advantage, Belgium is the overwhelming favourite in this match.