Belgium vs Czech Republic Odds & Prediction – UEFA World Cup Qualifying Matchday 5
- It is Belgium vs the Czech Republic in round 5 of UEFA World Cup Qualifying on Sunday, September 5 at 2:45pm ET
- Belgium currently top Group E, with the Czech Republic in second just three points adrift
- We preview the game, look at the odds, and offer some picks below
Belgium entertains the Czech Republic in the King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels on Matchday 5 of UEFA World Cup Qualifying in Group E on Sunday, September 5 at 2:45pm ET.
In midweek, Belgium ran riot in Estonia with a thumping 5-2 win to consolidate their position at the top of the group, while the Czechs were in less scintillating form still but managed a 1-0 win over Belarus.
We list the odds, preview Belgium vs the Czech Republic, and offer below the best picks for this World Cup qualifier.
Belgium vs Czech Republic Odds
| Matchup | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium vs Czech Republic | BEL -0.5 (-260) | CZE +0.5 (+195) | BEL -240 | DRAW +400 | CZE +650 | Ov 2.5 (-120) | Un 2.5 (+105) |
Odds as of September 4 at DraftKings
Time For Belgium to Deliver
It was an entertaining night in Tallinn as Roberto Martinez’s men recovered from going behind in only the second minute, to ultimately record an easy win. The home side went ahead early on through Mattias Kait, but it was only a temporary lead at the Belgians responded through Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku to put them 2-1 up at the interval.
Rocket Foket. 🚀 pic.twitter.com/U1pEX3VkZo
— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) September 4, 2021
Lukaku’s hot streak continued after the break in Tallinn when he added his second and goals followed from Axel Witsel and substitute Thomas Foket to give the visitors an unassailable lead. Estonia’s Erik Sorga concluded the scoring for the night but it was merely a consolation in what ended up being a comfortable night for Belgium.
Euro 2022 Disappointment for Martinez
Martinez will be keen for his men to make light work of qualification and have another crack at another major tournament, after another disappointing summer in which they failed to live up to their billing in Euro 2022. Their so-called ‘Golden Generation’ have consistently been at the top of FIFA’s world rankings, but have yet to make their mark in a major tournament.
66 goals, 99 caps. 🤯 #DEVILTIME pic.twitter.com/h3W4kCbQjn
— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) September 3, 2021
Their start to World Cup qualifying has been typically impressive, however, with just two points dropped so far – in their away game in the Czech Republic – and they have already opened up a three-point lead at the top with wins over Wales, Estonia, and Belarus. Their home form too is outstanding — 29 games unbeaten, a run that dates back to September 2016 when they were beaten by Spain — and so this is a massive ask for the Czechs.
Belgium vs Czech Republic Head-to-Head Stats
| 4 | Group E Games Played | 4 |
| 3 | Wins | 2 |
| 1 | Draws | 1 |
| 0 | Losses | 1 |
| 17 | Goals For | 8 |
| 4 | Goals Against | 4 |
Impressive Czechs in Euros
The Czech Republic had a good Euro 2020, losing out at the quarterfinal stage to Denmark, and now have their sights firmly fixed on reaching their first World Cup finals since 2006. Jaroslav Silhavy has put together a squad with a realistic chance of doing so but if they lose in Brussels it will likely have to be via the playoff route, as only the team that finishes at the top qualify automatically.
It was so good to have you back. Thanks for your support! 👏🏻🇨🇿 pic.twitter.com/gkZoUeSKm1
— Czech Football National Team (@ceskarepre_eng) September 3, 2021
The Battle for Second Spot
Their midweek home win over Belarus was important as it kept them in touch with the Belgians but was done without them hitting anything like their top form. They will need to find another level of performance to get anything on Sunday but will take great confidence from having already drawn 1-1 with Belgium back in March in the early stages of the group.
A defeat in Wales on Matchday 2 was a major setback for the Czechs, especially as they had opened with a thumping 6-2 win in Estonia, but the point against Belgium and the recent midweek win over Belarus have set them up to challenge Sunday’s opponents for the top spot.
🇨🇿🇧🇾 Full-time! We didn't see any more goals tonight and the match ended with a narrow 1:0 win against Belarus thanks to a goal by Antonín Barák. #WCQ pic.twitter.com/jhnn07RJbr
— Czech Football National Team (@ceskarepre_eng) September 2, 2021
At the very least, the Czechs will be looking to secure second place and a playoff place but will be aware that third-placed Wales have only played twice so far and are just four points behind. Those two games in hand could yet be crucial for the Welsh, so even a point for the Czechs in Brussels could end up being priceless.
Belgium vs Czech Republic Prediction
The Belgians start as odds-on favorites with good reason, not least for their outstanding home record, and it is hard to make a solid case for anything other than the home win. With Lukaku leading their line with such authority, the Red Devils look full of goals right now and an early lead for them could end up making for a very difficult night for the Czechs.
Equally, if the visitors can keep it tight early on they could grow into the game and make for a frustrating night for Martinez’s men. On that basis, the +400 for the draw may be tempting to those who fancy a gamble but, for me, the value here lies with predicting the score and a two-goal margin in Belgium’s favor looks very tempting.
Pick: Belgium to win 2-0 (+650) / Belgium to win by a two-goal margin (+280)
Once just a sports fanatic, fan-turned-writer Gary Gowers has been featured on European television and radio networks to discuss several professional football clubs. His work can be found in an assortment of publications like The Metro, MyFootballWriter.com, and BBC Radio Norfolk.
