Belgium vs Montenegro: Preview, Prediction & Betting Tips

Belgium host Montenegro at King Baudouin Stadium this Wednesday in an international friendly. The Red Devils look to prepare for the European Championships whereas Montenegro look to pick up a win and disrupt Belgium.

Date: 05/06/2024

Kick off time: 19:30

Location: King Baudouin Stadium

After missing out on tournament football this summer, Montenegro look to pick up a big win and rain on Belgium's preparations for a big summer at the Euros.

Belgium had an expected strong showing in the Euros qualifiers where they finished top of their group. Group F saw The Red Devils take on Austria, Sweden, Azerbaijan and Estonia. In eight games, Belgium picked up six wins and two draws leaving them on 20 points, one point ahead of Austria.

At the Euros, Belgium compete in Group E against Slovakia, Romania and Ukraine as The Red Devils look to improve upon their best ever finish at the competition, Runners-up at the 1980 Championships in Italy.

Montenegro struggled in qualifying for the European Championships. In Group G with Hungary, Serbia, Lithuania and Bulgaria, Montenegro picked up three wins, two draws and three losses, leaving them on 11 points, three points from qualification.

However, when it comes to the Euros, Montenegro have never qualified, even when they became independent from Yugoslavia and Serbia.
Belgium and Montenegro have only met once in their histories, this coming back in 2012 in an international friendly. This game ended in a draw, meaning this week could give either side the first win in the fixture.

This game in 2012 saw Montenegro take an early lead through Mirko Vucinic in the fifth minute but a goal from Kevin Mirallas and a penalty from Eden Hazard gave Belgium the lead at halftime. However, a late goal from Nikola Drincic grabbed a 2 - 2 draw for Montenegro.

Belgium Team News

Domenico Tedesco has called up many familiar faces for this batch of friendlies, but one big name that misses out is Thibaut Courtois as he has just returned from a serious knee injury. Key names for Belgium include Kevin de Bruyne, Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard.

Montenegro Team News

Robert Prosinecki will also rely on the usual suspects, this time including Preston North End’s Milutin Osmajic who had missed out on the March games through injury.

In their last five games in all competitions, Belgium have three wins and two draws.

Belgium opened the scoring early against Estonia with Jan Vertonghen finding the back of the net in the fourth minute and Trossard doubling the lead before halftime. A brace from Romelu Lukaku and a goal from Charles De Ketelaere in the second half wrapped up a 5 - 0 win for Belgium.

The trip to Austria saw Dodi Lukebakio give Belgium the lead in the 12th minute and added another early in the second half. Lukaku added a third before the hour mark but Konrad Laimer got Austria on the scoresheet with under 20 minutes to go. A red card to Belgium’s Amadou Onana opened the game up and Marcel Sabitzer converted a penalty but Belgium held on for the 3 - 2 win.

It was a more straightforward win for Belgium against Azerbaijan. Lukaku opened the scoring but following the early red card to Azerbaijan’s Eddy Pascual, the floodgates opened. Lukaku picked up four goals in this game and was joined on the scoresheet by Trossard in the 5 - 0 win for Belgium.

The first of the March international friendlies saw Belgium in Ireland. There were just three shots on target for the entire 90 minutes with neither side finding the back of the net, settling for the 0 - 0 draw.

The last time out for Belgium was against England. Youri Tielemans opened the scoring for Belgium early on but a penalty from Ivan Toney drew England level. Another goal from Tielemans regained the lead for Belgium but a 95th minute goal from Jude Bellingham grabbed a 2 - 2 draw for England.

In their last five games in all competitions, Montenegro have three wins and two losses.

Aleksandar Mitrovic opened the scoring in the ninth minute but Stevan Jovetic equalised before halftime for Montenegro. However, another goal from Mitrovic and a goal from Dusan Tadic gave Serbia the 3 - 1 win.

Montenegro bounced back the next time out with a win against Lithuania. Edvin Kuc gave Montenegro the lead in the third minute and Jovetic scored early in the second half to secure the 2 - 0 win for Montenegro.

Slobodan Rubezic gave Montenegro the lead over Hungary at halftime but a two minute brace from Dominik Szoboszlai and a late goal from Adam Nagy gave Hungary the 3 - 1 win.

Montenegro returned to winning ways against Belarus in an international friendly. Adam Marusic and Nikola Krstovic both scored in the first half to give Montenegro the 2 - 0 win.

The most recent outing for Montenegro was against North Macedonia in another friendly. Jovetic scored the only goal of the game on the stroke of halftime to give Montenegro the 1 - 0 win.

Montenegro are unlikely to pose too much of a threat to Belgium, with The Red Devils likely to grab a big win against Montenegro with Lukaku on the scoresheet. Belgium 3 - 0 Montenegro

Belgium vs Montenegro will not be shown live in the U.K. but the game can be followed online on Sky Sports and BBC Sport.

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