The Belgium (Belgica) vs Algeria World Cup match will be held on Tuesday, June 17 (9:00 AM Pacific) at the Estádio Mineirão in Belo Horizonte. Belgium comes off a strong WC Qualifying campaign where they only tied twice and went undefeated, more recently they beat Sweden 2-0 and Tunisia 1-0. Algeria is relatively easily compared to opponents faced on their road to Brazil, but will still have to be on their best form to ensure a victory.
In a team like Belgium, it is very hard to shine, it’s a small pond with big fish, but the individual that, ironically, stands above all is Eden Hazard. Hazard had an outstanding season with Chelsea, finishing as top scorer with 17 goals and consistently created chances for his teammates. He was hit by injury in the latter stages, but managed to return for the last few games of the season. Hazard can just about fit in anywhere up front in Wilmots’ 4-2-3-1/4-3-3, he can play on either wing or down the center of the field.
It will also be critical for Les Diables Rouges that their holding midfielder partnership is fortified, Witsel is almost guaranteed a starting position, but whoever partners him will have to be decided between Defour, Fellaini, and Dembele. Defour is not expected to start and rather be a solid backup, so it’ll be down to Dembele and Fellaini, each did not have their best season and will have to put it behind them to avoid a horrid display and risk an easy enough game.
Algeria is going to the World Cup for the fourth time by overcoming Burkina Faso in a two-legged playoff where they lost 3-2 away and won 1-0 at home, advancing only on away goals. Despite reaching the tournament for a fourth occasion, Les Fennecs have yet to make it out of the group stage.
Much of Algeria’s hopes will rest on Soufiane Feghouli who plays for Valencia as a right midfielder, but can play just as well as a center attacking midfielder. He is a creative player with enough pace to catch Belgium on the counter, but he will be supported by players such as Tottenham youngster Nabil Bentaleb, Sporting Lisbon forward Islam Slimani, and Napoli left back Faouzi Ghoulam.
Algeria has enough talent and with a coach with the pedigree of Vahid Halilhodžić, they can certainly be a pebble in their opponents’ shoe.
Belgium vs Algeria Prediction
Belgium has been tipped as a “Dark Horse” entering the tournament and rightly so, with so many of their players being pivotal for their club, while Algeria isn’t expected to make it out of their group stage. This match has Belgium written all over it and they will have to show it right from the start, so Algeria doesn’t surprise them in any way. Belgium 3-0 Algeria.
Belgium vs Algeria Television
Broadcasting of this game will begin at 8:30 AM (PST) on Univision Deportes, ESPN 3 (stream) and ESPN on Tuesday, June 17.
