Belgium vs Ukraine: betting odds March 23, 2025

The second leg of the 2024/25 Nations League playoff between Belgium and Ukraine will take place on March 23 at the Cegeka Arena in Genk. The first match ended 3-1 in favor of Ukraine. Belgium vs. Ukraine: prediction and betting odds, statistics.

Belgium

Rudi Garcia's debut as the head coach of Belgium was disastrous. His new charges took the lead in the first half but conceded three goals in the second half. This marked their fourth consecutive defeat in the Nations League. Now, the team must secure a big win to maintain their place in the tournament's elite division. If they win by a two-goal margin, extra time will be played.

• Belgium's winless streak in the Nations League stands at six matches (1 draw and 5 losses).
• No more than three goals have been scored in 8 of Belgium's last 11 matches in this tournament.
• The team has not drawn a match at home in the Nations League (8 wins and 4 losses).

Predicted lineup for Belgium (5-3-2)

Thibaut Courtois – Zeno Debast, Thomas Meunier, Maxim De Cuyper, Koni De Winter, Brandon Mechele – Youri Tielemans, Kevin De Bruyne, Leandro Trossard – Charles De Ketelaere, Romelu Lukaku.

Midfielder Youri Tielemans will miss the match due to suspension.

Ukraine

Despite the first match being held in Spain, Ukraine managed to defeat a much stronger opponent, securing a two-goal lead. To return to League A, Ukraine only needs to avoid losing or can afford a one-goal defeat. Interestingly, under Serhiy Rebrov, the team has played 19 official matches, scoring more than two goals in only three of them. Ukraine is also unbeaten in their last five Nations League matches (3 wins and 2 draws).

• Both teams scored in 6 of Ukraine's last 7 Nations League matches.
• At least two goals have been scored in 6 of Ukraine's last 7 matches in this tournament.
• The team opened the scoring in 5 of their last 7 away Nations League matches.

Predicted lineup for Ukraine (4-2-3-1)

Andriy Lunin – Illya Zabarnyi, Mykola Matviyenko, Vitaliy Mykolenko, Yukhym Konoplia – Ivan Kalyuzhnyi, Oleksandr Zinchenko – Viktor Tsyhankov, Mykola Shaparenko, Heorhiy Sudakov – Roman Yaremchuk.

Forward Mykhailo Mudryk is suspended due to doping issues. Defenders Oleksiy Sych and Yukhym Konoplia were injured in the first match.

Referee

Daniel Siebert (Germany)

Matches – 9 (International matches, 2024/25);

Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 38;

Average yellow cards per match – 4.2;

Red cards shown – 5;

Average fouls per match – 23;

Penalties – 22%.

Belgium vs. Ukraine: Match Prediction

The result of the first match was unexpected, considering that Ukraine played on neutral ground, and Belgium did not pose significant challenges. It seems Belgium's decline is unstoppable, as the team is undergoing a generational change, which is currently affecting their performance. Belgium's struggles in League A were evident, and they barely advanced from the group stage in the European Championship, stopping at the round of 16.

In the first match, Rudi Garcia's side was ineffective in attack, as evidenced by an xG of 2.82:0.59 in favor of Ukraine. I believe Belgium will struggle to break through Ukraine's solid defense in the second leg as well. Additionally, Belgium has not won in their last six Nations League matches, while Ukraine is unbeaten in five matches in this tournament. Furthermore, Serhiy Rebrov's side has not lost by two or more goals in nine consecutive Nations League matches.

My prediction: Ukraine with a handicap (+1.5)

* Each team's starting lineup from their previous match is listed.