Rep of Ireland vs Belgium: Prediction & Odds, Betting Tips 26/03/22

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Republic of Ireland welcome Belgium to the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday evening. Can the Boys in Green cause an upset in this international friendly fixture? Read our free predictions and betting picks for the game here.

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Free predictions and betting picks for Rep of Ireland vs Belgium

Bookmaker Ratings prediction one: Republic of Ireland Double Chance – 2.5

Bookmaker Ratings prediction two: Republic of Ireland +1.0 Goal Handicap – 2.45

Republic of Ireland Double Chance

With just one defeat in ten matches, things are starting to take shape for the Republic of Ireland under Stephen Kenny and the Boys in Green have chance to land a confidence-building result against a depleted Belgian side on Saturday. With star players like Kevin de Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Dries Mertens missing for the visitors, Ireland can harness the energy from the home crowd to avoid defeat against the number one ranked team in the world.

Republic of Ireland +1.0 Goal Handicap

Ireland have been very tough to score against since Stephen Kenny took the reins and they have shipped just six goals in their last ten fixtures combined. Shorn of most of their most threatening players, Belgium could find it tough to breach the Irish rearguard in Dublin and a stake on the home side in the +1.0 handicap market appeals as a result.

It’s good to be back ?

Take in a unique view of Ireland’s first training session as preparations to face Belgium begin ?#COYBIG | #WeAreOne | #WeAre100 pic.twitter.com/FOodRy0C9S

— FAIreland ⚽️?? (@FAIreland) March 23, 2022

Preliminary review and match prediction for Rep of Ireland vs Belgium

For the first time in decades, the future of the Republic of Ireland national team holds promise and Stephen Kenny has injected a huge sense of optimism thanks to his faith in young players and modern, technical brand of football.

Ireland host Belgium in a showpiece friendly showdown in Dublin on Saturday evening where the Boys in Green will be determined to showcase their new confidence and slick style of play.

Kenny’s charges have lost just once in their last ten games and their performance against Portugal before Christmas (0-0) highlighted the vast strides they have made in recent months.

Ordinarily, most observers would expect Belgium to be in total command in the Irish capital, though Roberto Martinez will be without a whole host of his best players this week, with the team’s entire spine unavailable for differing reasons.

First-choice keeper Thibaut Courtois, defenders Jan Vertonghen, Thomas Meunier, Toby Alderweireld, midfielders Axel Witsel, Kevin de Bruyne, Yannick Carrasco, Eden Hazard and attackers Dries Mertens and Romelu Lukaku have all been excluded from Belgium’s squad, leaving De Rode Duivels with a skeleton crew of back-up and fringe players this week.

Belgium’s lengthy list of absentees opens the door wide for Ireland to land a shock result in Dublin and the prices for the hosts to avoid defeat in the double chance market are too good to pass on.

Ireland have only lost twice in Dublin since October 2018 and their ability to carve out good results on home soil should aid their push for glory against a depleted Belgium side.

Safe Bets

Ireland are one of international football’s most reliable performers in the under 2.5 goals market and eight of their last nine home matches have produced two or fewer strikes. Five of those fixtures saw just the net ripple on one or fewer occasions, so don’t expect a deluge of action in Dublin. With that considered, backing under 2.5 goals to be notched at 1.7 could be a safe move.

Get Quick Rich

Republic of Ireland have scored exactly one goal in two of their last four home fixtures, while Belgium conceded once in each of their last three fixtures. Stephen Kenny’s robust side are chasing their fifth straight clean sheet this week and a shut out looks possible against a Belgian side missing so many of their most threatening performers. As such, a 1-0 bet in the host’s favour at huge 15.0 odds has the look of a potential pocket filler.

Rep of Ireland vs Belgium first goalscorer

Shane Duffy has a terrific record in front of goal at international level for a centre-half and the Brighton defender has chipped in with three efforts in his last six starts for the Republic. Duffy is a huge threat from set plays and he could be a long-shot outsider to consider in the first goalscorer market at 34.0 this weekend.

Rep of Ireland vs Belgium Team News

Andrew Omobamidele and Adam Idah are both out injured for Ireland. Oxford’s Mark Sykes and St Mirren’s Connor Ronan will both be seeking their first caps for the Republic this week.

Keeper Thibaut Courtois, defenders Jan Vertonghen, Thomas Meunier, Toby Alderweireld, midfielders Axel Witsel, Kevin de Bruyne, Yannick Carrasco, Eden Hazard and attackers Dries Mertens and Romelu Lukaku are all missing for Belgium this weekend.

Starting Lineups

Republic of Ireland: Bazunu – Coleman, Duffy, Egan – Doherty, Hendrick, Cullen, McClean – Knight, Ogbene, Robinson

Belgium: Mignolet – Denayer, Boyata, Van der Heyden – Foket, Tielemans, Dendoncker, Theate – Trossard, Januzaj, Batshuayi

Highlighted Player

Gavin Bazunu

Dublin-born keeper Gavin Bazunu has been earning rave reviews for his performances in League One for Portsmouth this season and the 20-year-old has already established himself as Ireland’s number one under Stephen Kenny. On loan at Pompey from Man City, Bazunu is expected to have a long career at the highest level.

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Rep of Ireland vs Belgium – Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips 26/03/22, Team News and Lineups