Republic of Ireland will relish the chance to lock horns with Belgium on Saturday night for the first of a friendly double-header.
The Aviva Stadium will provide the backdrop for what could well be a short John O’Shea era.
Appointed on an interim basis, O’Shea is highly unlikely to be kept on as Ireland manager permanently, with the FAI working hard behind the scenes to find a full-time replacement for Stephen Kenny.
Anyway, O’Shea will want to leave the new regime in good shape, but Belgium will be a significant step up in quality.
Under Domenico Tedesco, the Red Devils have been more formidable in recent months, but a question of consistency has hampered them especially when it comes to delivering on the biggest stages.
On the injury front, Romelu Lukaku has been ruled out for the visitors with a groin injury, and he joins fellow high-profile absentees Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois on the sidelines.
But what should we expect from this clash? I have shared some pre-match insights and disseminated a couple of betting tips to consider ahead of kick-off.
Belgium to continue fine run
While it can be difficult to make any cast iron judgments about friendlies, Belgium look like a different proposition compared to previous incarnations.
Invariably, heavy expectations have been placed on the Belgium side, and they will be eager to improve on their quarter-final showings in the past two editions of the Euros.
Anyway, back to the here and now, and Belgium have won eight out of the 10 games that Tedesco has presided over, with the other two resulting in draws.
Although Ireland grabbed a 2-2 draw when they last faced Belgium in an international friendly two years ago, Belgium’s new generation will pose a serious threat.
It probably ought to come as no surprise that Belgium are fourth in the world rankings, and with Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard in their ranks, they will ask serious questions of the Ireland backline.
For my first pick, I’ve leant into the Belgium to win to nil line, where William Hill has stumped up a price of 5/2 for you to savour.
Lois Openda to draw first blood
Perhaps Lukaku won’t be overly missed by Belgium given the sensational form of Lois Openda.
Indeed, 23 goals in 36 appearances in all competitions for RB Leipzig emphasises how instrumental he has been this term.
Openda can expect plenty of service from the wide areas, and he’s not usually the sort of player who needs two bites at the cherry.
I think Openda could be a menace throughout the 90 minutes and his electric pace will strike fear into the Ireland rearguard.
To wrap things up, I think Openda will break the deadlock, and he can be backed at 13/2 to do so with bet365.
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