Republic of Ireland v Belgium Prediction, Preview & Odds

We have a Republic of Ireland v Belgium prediction and preview plus betting odds for you ahead of Saturday’s Friendly at the Aviva Stadium.

How To Watch the Republic of Ireland v Belgium

When is the Republic of Ireland v Belgium?

Republic of Ireland v Belgium will take place on Saturday at 5.00 pm.

TV Channel

Virgin Media Two.

Where is the Republic of Ireland v Belgium Being Played?

The Republic of Ireland are at home so this fixture will be played at their home ground at Aviva Stadium

Republic of Ireland v Belgium Odds

Republic of Ireland are 13/5 to earn themselves what would be a surprise victory under interim manager John O’Shea. Belgium are comfortable favourites at 20/21 while the draw is priced at 23/10.

Handicap Betting

Republic of Ireland: +1 @ 3/4

Belgium: -1 @ 11/4

Handicap Draw: +1 @ 13/5

Click Below For Our LIVE Republic of Ireland v Belgium Odds

Republic of Ireland v Belgium Weather Forecast

For those travelling to the Aviva on Saturday, decent conditions are expected with no rain and the weather expected to be roughly 8 degrees.

The Form – Republic of Ireland vs Belgium

The Republic of Ireland’s Form

A new day is dawning in the chapter of the Republic of Ireland International side and this will be the first game since Stephen Kenny’s Ireland contract was terminated last November. However, despite weeks and months of speculation about his successor a permanent solution has yet to be declared and on the 28 ^th of February it was announced that John O’Shea was taking interim charge for the March friendlies.

While speculation persists on the permanent successor, the FAI has suggested that due to contract obligations it was not possible to bring in the manager yet but an announcement could be expected in early April.

O’Shea has been bashful in the lead-up to these games suggesting no incoming manager influenced selection and that these were his calls. Coming into the squad are Corkman Jake O’Brien who is flying for Lyon, Championship top-scorer Sammie Szmodics (finally) and Middlesbrough midfielder Finn Azaz who is currently under the management of O’Shea’s former teammate Michael Carrick.

Ireland’s Last Five Results

Ireland 1-1 New Zealand | November 21 ^st | Draw

Netherlands 1-0 Ireland | November 18th | Loss

Gibraltar 0-4 Ireland | October 16th | Win

Ireland 0-2 Greece | October 13th | Loss

Ireland 1-2 Netherlands | September 10th | Loss

1 Win, 2 Draws and 2 Losses

Belgium’s Form

Belgium are a force in International Football and while their squad's potential is blindingly obvious one dubbed a "Golden Generation” such was the expectation levels for them this last decade they’ve arguably fallen below what plenty predicted they could achieve due to the absence of silverware in their cabinet.

However, while some of those stars are getting on in years, they’re being promptly replaced by a new generation of Belgian footballers who look equally if not more promising spearheaded by Arthur Vermeeren (19) of Atlético Madrid and Jeremy Doku (21) of Manchester City. They remain a consistent force on the International Stage under Domenico Tedesco; last year they went unbeaten with a record of 8 wins, 1 draw and 1 abandoned game.

Belgium’s Last Five Results

Belgium 5-0 Azerbaijan | November 19th | Win

Belgium 1-0 Serbia | November 15th | Win

Belgium 1-1 Sweden (Abandoned) | October 13th | N/a

Austria 2-3 Belgium | October 13th | Win

Belgium 5-0 Estonia| September 12th | Win

4 Wins + 1 N/a

Republic of Ireland v Belgium Lineups

Republic of Ireland Predicted XI 4-2-3-1

GK: Bazunu

RB: Ebosele, CB: Omobamidele, CB: Collins, LB: Doherty

CM: Cullen, CM: Smallbone

RW: Ogbene, AM: Knight, LW: Johnson

CF: Idah

Belgium Predicted XI 3-4-3

GK: Casteels

RCB: Faes, CB: Vertonghen, LCB: Theate

RM: Castagne, CM: Mangala, CM: Vranckx, LM: Doku

AM: Bakayoko, AM: Trossard

CF: Openda

Republic of Ireland v Belgium Head-To-Head Results & Stats

All-Time Head-To-Head Record

Republic of Ireland wins: 4

Belgium wins: 6

Draws: 6

Head-To-Head Results Last Five Matches

Republic of Ireland 2-2 Belgium | International Friendly | March 26th, 2023

Belgium 3-0 Republic of Ireland | Euro 2016 | 18 ^th June, 2016

Belgium 2-1 Republic of Ireland | World Cup Qualifying| November 15 ^th , 1997

Republic of Ireland 1-1 Belgium| World Cup Qualifying | October 29 ^th , 1997

Republic of Ireland 2-2 Belgium | Euro Qualifying | 10 ^th September, 1986

Betting Trends

Goals

Coming into the game between both teams the Republic of Ireland averages 1.3 Goals Per Match while Belgium averages exactly double with 2.6 Goals Per Match.

The Republic of Ireland conceded 1.3 Goals per Match too with Belgium conceding less than half that with 0.6 Per Match.

Cards

Between both sides, they average a sum of 3.1 Cards Per Match, with the Republic of Ireland having 1.6 and Belgium with 1.5.

Corners

The sides average a cumulative 14.1 Corners per match between them with the Republic of Ireland having 7.5 and Belgium earning 6.6.

Key Players To Watch

The Newbies – Republic of Ireland

While it’s very difficult to predict the line-up across both matches for Ireland, there is widely expected to be plenty of rotation between both games with the “newbies” into the squad integrated with minutes while the likes of Ebosele could see increased involvement.

Jake O’Brien is having a brilliant season for Lyon and is likely to be given minutes at CB as a reward for his brilliant form. Finn Azaz is a technical midfielder with an ability Irish squads have lacked for some time too.

Finally, the headline name, Sammie Szmodics looks set to play for Ireland and the Championship top-scorer who has 27 Goals and 3 Assists in all competitions this season will be a huge goal threat for Ireland.

Jeremy Doku – Belgium

With Lukaku and De Bruyne out of this game through injury, attention turns to who poses the biggest threat for Belgium. Step Forward Man City attacker Jeremy Doku (21) has 5 Goals and 6 Assists in all competitions this season. Doku’s pace and dribbling ability is World Class and he could have the Irish defence on skates if in the mood on Saturday.

Republic of Ireland vs Belgium Prediction & Best Bet

Prediction: Republic of Ireland 1-2 Belgium

It’s a new era for Ireland and it’s not clear what to expect from a John O’Shea side which will be an unknown heading into the games with this his first gig as the main man in the dugout (albeit on an interim basis).

Belgium are a force in International Football though and their results speak for themselves even if Lukaku and De Bruyne will be absent. The Belgians will be expecting themselves to put a few past Ireland and beat them considering they only managed a draw last time they played one another.

Belgium with a goal on either side of each half and Ireland to grab a late consolation goal.

Best Bet: Belgium Win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 @ 19/10

Bet On The Republic of Ireland v Belgium

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