EURO 2020 – UEFA European Qualifiers – San Marino vs Belgium Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When does San Marino vs Belgium kick off? Friday 6th August, 2019 – 19:45 (UK)
Where is San Marino vs Belgium being played? Stadio Olimpico di Serravalle
What is the weather forecast for San Marino vs Belgium? Cloudy, 17c
What television channel is San Marino vs Belgium on? Sky have the rights to UEFA European Qualifiers matches in the UK, so it is worth checking the Sky Sports schedule
Where can I stream San Marino vs Belgium? If the match is televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go
What was the score when the teams last met? Belgium 8-0 San Marino
THE TEAM NEWS
SAN MARINO
- San Marino have never won a European qualifier and have lost all four of their matches in this campaign, conceding 20 goals and scoring none.
- First-choice goalkeeper Elia Benedettini is out after suffering a serious injury so coach Franco Varrella must choose between uncapped pair Simone Benedettini and Matteo Zavoli.
- Michael Battistini and Davide Cesarini, who both started the last match against Kazakhstan, have been dropped with Kevin Zonzini and Luca Ceccaroli called up.
Predicted line-up (4-4-1-1): Zavolii; F. Vitaioli, Simoncini, Brolli, Grandoni; Berardi, Lunadei, Mularoni, Censoni; M. Vitaioli; Nanni
Unavailable: E. Benedettini (Injured)
Doubtful:
BELGIUM
- Belgium are three points clear at the top of Group I with four wins from four and have lost just one of their last nine competitive matches.
- Brothers Eden and Thorgan Hazard have both dropped out because of injury but coach Roberto Martinez has decided not to call in replacements for the attacking duo.
- Koen Casteels, Dedryck Boyata, Vincent Kompany and Axel Witsel are also unavailable, while 18-year-old Yari Verschaeren is among the uncapped players in the squad.
Predicted line-up (3-4-2-1): Courtois; Alderweireld, Denayer, Vertonghen; Meunier, Dendoncker, Tielemans, Carrasco; De Bruyne, Mertens; Lukaku
Unavailable: E. Hazard (Injured), T. Hazard (Injured), Casteels (Injured), Boyata (Injured), Kompany (Injured), Witsel (Injured)
Doubtful:
THE PREDICTION
Belgium's record win in international football came against San Marino, a 10-1 thrashing in 2001. A similar margin of victory would not be a surprise here, as the hosts have conceded 20 goals in four games while Martinez's side have netted 11. Even without Eden Hazard, Belgium should score for fun.
