Can Belgium’s potential flourish in Group H?

Can Belgium’s potential flourish in Group H?

By Michael Gales May 12, 2014

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Belgium’s youngsters are favourites ahead of Russia with Pinnacle Sports to qualify from Group H. Read this 2014 World Cup Group H betting preview to see whether or not Algeria and South Korea can cause an upset?

Belgium: Is it too early for young Belgians?

Fifa Ranking: 11th

Best Finish: 4th (1986)

Overall Miles to travel: 435^

Odds to win 2014 World Cup: 31.000*

Belgium are one of the emerging nations in world football and are the clear 1.148* favourites to deliver on their potential and progress out of Group H to the knockout stages.

The Belgians rise as a nation is evident as they are the third most improved nation at the World cup moving to 11th in the FIFA world rankings from 20th just a year ago.

They qualified in emphatic style, registering a national record seven successive qualifying wins during an unbeaten campaign – winning eight and drawing two. During which they scored in every game and never concede more than once in a match.

Managed by Marc Wilmots – who went to four World Cups and is the leading goal scorer at the World Cup for Belgium. The Belgians are a powerful unit, disciplined defensively and have an abundance of pacey attacking players. However Wilmots will be worried about the lack of playing time the likes of Thomas Vermaelen, Nacer Chadli and Marouane Fellaini have suffered domestically this season.

Interestingly the Belgians only have to travel 435 miles during their group games, which is by far the lowest. This will be their first major tournament since 2002 and bettors should question how this youthful side will perform on the big stage? Will they buckle without a natural leader, or play without fear?

Belgium’s record against Group H opponents

H-to-H Record

Win

Loss

Draw

Win %

Algeria

1

0

1

50%

South Korea

2

0

1

67%

Russia

2

0

1

67%

Russia: Could a lack of goals cost them?

Fifa Ranking: 22nd

Best Finish: Group stage (1990, 1994 & 2002)

Overall Miles to travel: 1,400^

Odds to win 2014 World Cup: 61.000*

Russia are second favourites at 1.435* to progress from Group H and reach the knockout stages for the first time – as The USSR they were semi-finalists in 1966 and quarter-finalists in 1958, 1962 and 1970.

Ranked 22nd in the world they are the biggest fallers in the world rankings of sides at the World Cup, despite being managed by Fabio Capello. The former England manager has however instilled a greater mental fortitude into the team.

Despite defeats against Portugal and Northern Ireland, they qualified ahead of Portugal to win the group – conceding just five goals in ten games.

While they are defensively solid, they lack a serious goal threat, so could find themselves in trouble if they start conceding goals.

Another point to mention is the pressure on the team to progress to justify Russia’s bid as hosts of the 2018 World Cup, and with political unrest back home, how will their spirit hold-up in the intense surroundings of the World Cup?

Russia’s record against Group H opponents

H-to-H Record

Win

Loss

Draw

Win %

Belgium

0

2

1

0%

Algeria

0

0

0

0%

South Korea

1

0

0

100%

South Korea: Don’t expect the heroics of 2002

Fifa Ranking: 54th

Best Finish: 4th (2002)

Overall Miles to travel: 1,569^

Odds to win 2014 World Cup: 201.000*

South Korea have failed to qualify for the knockout stage in six of the eight World Cup tournaments they have qualified for but are at 2.850* to qualify this year. Their best performance in a World Cup came on home-soil in 2002, while they were eliminated in 2010 by Uruguay in the last 16.

The Koreans have dropped from 32nd in the world rankings to 54th over the past 12 months despite qualifying for their eighth successive World Cup. However qualification was anything but smooth as they edged-out Uzbekistan on goal difference to claim the second qualification spot in Asian Group A, ending two points behind Iran.

Despite qualifying, manager Choi Kang-hee quit at the end of the campaign and was replaced by Hong Myung-bo – South Korea’s record appearance holder who managed South Korea to a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics.

With this said South Korea appear weaker as a squad compared to recent years and of the 32 teams heading to Brazil only Australia have a lower world ranking. With impressive performances in 2002 and 2010 you can never write off the Koreans, but it appears a tough task in Brazil for them to finish ahead of either Belgium or Russia.

South Korea’s record against Group H opponents

H-to-H Record

Win

Loss

Draw

Win %

Belgium

0

2

1

0%

Algeria

0

0

0

0%

Russia

0

1

0

0%

Algeria: Too much too young

Fifa Ranking: 26th

Best Finish: Group Stage (1982, 1986 & 2010)

Overall Miles to travel: 1,174^

Odds to win 2014 World Cup: N/A

Outsiders Algeria have odds of 8.400* to qualify for the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time in their history. In 1982 Algeria were the first African nation to win two matches at a World Cup, but failed to qualify from the group on goal difference after Germany and Austria engineered a draw that allowed them both to progress (read our World Cup outright article to learn more about tournament history)– they have failed to win a game in either 1986 or 2010.

Algeria were the last African qualifiers, beating Burkina Faso 1-0 in the second leg of their play-off to advance on away goals after a 3-2 first-leg defeat. In qualifying they won all but one game and scored in every match.

Managed by Bosnian, Vahid Halilhodzic, the authoritarian has banished aside several established players in favour of a new generation – many of whom represented France at youth level. Two of these emerging talents are Inter Milan pair Saphir Taider and Ishak Belfodil, but a huge responsibility rests on their youthful shoulders.

The Fennec Foxes pulled off a huge shock against the mighty Germans in 1982, but they aren’t expected to qualify from the group stage in 2014 and a win in any of their three games would be classed as an achievement.

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*Odds subject to change

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