Belgium will take on Bosnia-Herzegovina in the Euro 2016 Qualifier match at the Stade Roi Baudouin in Brussels on Thursday.
Belgium could not impress their fans in the FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil , but they will want to come up with a better performance in Euro 2016, which will take place in France. But for that, they will have to qualify for the main stage of the tournament.
Looking at the group Belgium is in, one would have expected Belgium to easily qualify for the main stages. But guess what? It hasn't quite happened as expected. Wales are topping the group so far with 14 points in six games in the Euro Qualfiers. Cyprus, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Israel have all given Belgium a tough challenge.
Belgium, so far, has lost only one game in the Euro Qualifiers, and that was against Wales in the month of June. As a result of that, they are currently placed second in the table behind the Dragons.
Belgium will be the favourites in their game against Bosnia-Herzegovina tonight, as they look to climb up to the top of the table.
Meanwhile, Bosnia-Herzegovina have never featured in a European Championship. If they want to change that record, then they will have to at least avoid defeat against Belgium, while a win would be even better. They wil be relying on the former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko who has featured in two matches and has four goals to his name, including a hat-trick against Andorra in their last match. Coach Mehmed Baždarević will want his main man to be in prime form against Belgium on Thursday.
"Belgium are one of the best European teams. We all love big matches - it's why we play football - and this is definitely the biggest one of this campaign. The players need no extra motivation. It is imortant that we play well as a team, and then all the individuals can express themselves," Dzeko told reporters.
Belgium will be wary of Dzeko's form and they will be hoping that their his former teammate Vincent Kompany, who will be available for this game after serving a one-match ban, can keep him in check.
Belgium will be missing the services of Christian Benteke as he suffered a thigh injury last week during Liverpool's 3-0 loss to West Ham United. This could mean Romelu Lukaku slotting into the playing XI. On the other hand, Bosnia will miss Damir Sadikovic as he is serving a suspension.
"Nothing has been said yet, but I am ready. My goal has always been to impose myself as a starter in this team but, at the same time, I never question the decisions of the coach," Lukaku told the media.
Expected Lineups:
Belgium: Courtois; Vertonghen, Kompany, Lombaerts, Alderweireld; Witsel, Nainggolan, Fellaini, De Bruyne, Hazard; Lukaku.
Bosnia-Herzegovina: Begovic; Mujdza, Spahic, Vranjes, Kolasinac; Besic, Medunjanin, Lulic, Visca, Pjanic; Dzeko.
Where to watch live:
The European Qualifier game between Belgium and Bosnia-Herzegovina is scheduled for an 8.45 pm local time (12.15 am IST, 7.45 pm BST, 2.45 pm ET) start with live coverage in India on Sony Six and Sony Six HD. The Euro 2016 qualifier can also be watched via live streaming online on Livsports.
Viewers in the US can catch all the qualifying action live on Fox Sports 2, while the live stream option is on Fox Sports Go. Australia audience can catch Belgium vs Bosnia-Herzegovina live also on ESPN 3.
Sky Sports 1 will show this Belgium vs Bosnia-Herzegovina live in the UK, while the match can also be live streamed on Sky Go.
