Belgium vs Israel Preview, Prediction, Lineups, and Team News | Nations League

Belgium vs Israel Preview

• Tournament: UEFA Nations League
• Date: Friday, 6ᵗʰ September
• Kick-off time: 6:45 PM GMT
• Venue: Nagyerdei Stadium, Hungary

Belgium and Israel will be locking horns in the first-round fixtures of the new UEFA Nations League campaign. The fixture will be held as a group two game in the first tier of the Nations League. Supporters of the Israel National Team will be excited to witness their stars come up against the stern Belgian test. France and Italy complete the rest of the group and will contest their match simultaneously.

The Belgians will be commencing the UEFA Nations League journey on the back of a disappointing Euros run. Coach, Domenico Tedesco has managed to lower the average age of his squad which did result in an energized style of play in Germany. However, as always the players failed to turn up on the big stage and were eliminated in the round of 16. Belgium’s best accomplishment in the Nations League has been a fourth-placed finish during the 2020-21 edition. With the likes of Italy and France still to come, Belgium will require nothing less than a win against Israel to keep up with the pace in the group.

Israel was promoted to tier one of the Nations League after finishing first in its group in the second division last campaign. The country’s recent form has not been ideal with just two victories accompanied by a draw and three defeats in the last six games. During this period, Israel has conceded 10 goals while scoring only seven. Israel will be aware that it faces an uphill task against Belgium but will also fancy a positive result against the Red Devils over the bigger names of France and Italy.

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Belgium vs Israel Team News

Belgium National Football Team News

For Belgium, the big two absentees will be Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois. The striker was omitted from Tedesco’s 23-man squad after almost no playing time since the Euros. Lukaku’s performance in Germany was also not up to his usual standards. The former Chelsea man has joined Antonio Conte at Napoli in recent days and will now be required to build up his fitness and sharpness once again to convince his coach for future fixtures. Thibaut Courtois continues to be away after announcing his decision not to join the national team as long as Domenico Tedesco remains in charge.

Another surprising exclusion by Domenico Tedesco was of Leandro Trossard. The Arsenal winger has been in fine form lately and would have been a great option off the bench in the Nations League. The call by the manager perhaps, indicates his desire to look for younger options on the wing and develop them for future tournaments. Kevin De Bruyne will be the most important player and the captain of the Belgium National Team.

Israel National Football Team News

The coach of the Israel Football Team, Ran Ben Shimon will see no reason to not field his best eleven against Belgium. Israel will be up against Italy next which Shimon will see as a tougher test than Belgium. Consequently, his strongest side will be more likely to deliver a result against Tedesco’s side.

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Predicted Lineups

Belgium National Football Team Predicted Lineup (4-4-2):

Casteels; Castagne, Faes, Debast, Theate; Bakayoko, Onana, De Bruyne, Doku; Openda, De Ketelaere

Israel National Football Team Predicted Lineup (4-3-3):

Gerafi; Dasa, Nachmias, Shlomo, Gropper; Safuri, Lavi, Peretz; Biton, Baribo, Solomon

Head-to-head Stats

The two nations have faced each other only four times in the past with the first occasion occurring all the way back at the 1965 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Belgium has been the triumphant side in all four contests. Israel will be eager to turn the tide in its favour to end Belgian dominance.

Last four H2H results:

Belgium 3-1 Israel (2015, Euro Qualifiers)

Israel 0-1 Belgium (2015, Euro Qualifiers)

Israel 0-5 Belgium (1965, World Cup Qualifiers)

Belgium 1-0 Israel (1965, World Cup Qualifiers)

Key Players to Watch in Belgium vs Israel

Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)

The 33-year-old has been fired up since the 2024/25 Premier League commenced. Kevin De Bruyne has already bagged a goal and an assist in the opening three games. His presence will be a huge factor in Belgium’s chances considering the fact that most of the other senior players will not be around this time. De Bruyne has been handed the freedom by Tedesco to move into attacking positions, thereby optimising the threat from the midfielder. The captain of the Belgium National Team will be looking to add to his 28 goals for Belgium when he comes up against Israel on Friday.

Manor Solomon (Israel)

Manor Solomon is one of the more recognizable names in the Israel squad. The 25-year-old is a reliable source of success for his country. Solomon is currently associated with Leeds United on loan from Tottenham Hotspur. Solomon will be fielded as a left winger against Belgium trying to run in behind and cause havoc to the backline of the opponents. He currently has appeared in 37 games for the Israel National Team, scoring seven goals in the process.

Belgium vs Israel Prediction

It will be a bold take to imagine Israel getting anything from this upcoming UEFA Nations League game. Belgium will certainly be the overwhelming favourite with world-class players in every position. One can expect Israel to put up a good fight but the odds are heavily stacked against the nation. Belgium’s shaky and unstable defence, though, will hand some hope to Ran Ben Shimon to at least see his side create chances regularly and find the back of the net.

Predicted Score: Belgium 4-1 Israel

Where to Watch Belgium vs Israel Live?