The two qualification places for the 2020 European Championship in Group I have been sealed for some time. We already know ahead of the 9th round of matches that Belgium and Russia have qualified for the competition. Both teams are well ahead of 3rd place Cyprus and cannot be caught regardless of the results.
Therefore, the meeting between Russia and Belgium in Saint Petersburg on the 16th of November will have no bearing on which teams qualify from the group. The atmosphere should be one of celebration as the fans already know their teams have qualified.
Russia come into this match having defeated Cyprus 5-0 away from home last time out. With Cyprus currently occupying 3rd place in the group this shows how much stronger both Russia and Belgium have been throughout the qualifying campaign. Russia have won 7 and lost only one of their 8 qualifying matches but the single defeat came against upcoming opponents Belgium away from home in the first round of games.
Russia responded well to that defeat by going on to win each of their next 7 matches. They defeated Kazakhstan 4-0 away from home, San Marino 9-0 at home, Cyprus 1-0 at home, Scotland 2-1 away, Kazakhstan 1-0 at home and Scotland 4-0 at home.
pic.twitter.com/steBEX5cfH— Сборная России (@TeamRussia) November 12, 2019
pic.twitter.com/steBEX5cfH
Trends show Russia are undefeated in their last 8 home matches not including those played in the 2018 World Cup. They have won 6 of those games but have been held to a draw by both Turkey and Sweden. Russia have kept a clean sheet in each of their last 6 home matches but that record will be severely tested in this game.
Belgium make the trip to St Petersburg with a 100% record in 2020 European Championship qualifying Group I. They have won all of their 8 games to date and have yet to be really tested in the group. The Red Devils have won each of their matches by a 2 goal margin or more and have scored a total of 30 goals and conceded only once, which is a tremendous record.
The single goal they conceded was at home against Russia but Belgium have kept a clean sheet in each of their last 7 matches in the group. Trends show Belgium have won 6 of their last 7 away games with the only defeat coming in Switzerland during the Nations League but that was a heavy 5-2 loss.
Looking ahead to the team news and Russia have the top goal scorer in the group, Artem Dzyuba, In their squad. They can also call upon Denis Cheryshev who has 5 goals to his name.
Belgium have called up a strong squad featuring Eden Hazard, Dries Mertens, Romelu Lukaku, Thorgan Hazard, Youri Tielemans, Toby Alderweireld and Thibaut Courtois.
Russia will be hoping to end a successful qualifying campaign on a high in front of their home fans. However, if Belgium play their strongest XI the hosts are going to find it tough and the away team must be considered favourites to win this game.