Czech Republic and Belgium will both be looking to build on winning starts to their World Cup qualifying campaigns when they meet in Prague on Saturday.
The Czechs crushed Estonia 6-2 in their first match, while Belgium secure a 3-1 victory over Wales on Wednesday.
🇨🇿🇧🇪 A strong start for free-scoring Czech Republic and comeback kings Belgium 🔥#WCQ | #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/jvJdh7GOaP— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) March 24, 2021
🇨🇿🇧🇪 A strong start for free-scoring Czech Republic and comeback kings Belgium 🔥#WCQ | #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/jvJdh7GOaP
Czech Republic currently sit at the top of Group E on goal difference, although Belgium are expected to leapfrog the leaders on Saturday.
West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek netted hat-trick against Estonia, while Patrik Schick, Antonin Barak and Jakub Jankto also got on the scoresheet for Czech Republic.
The Czechs enjoyed 76% possession in midweek and also racked up 20 shots, but they aren’t likely to find it that easy against Belgium.
Looking at the bigger picture, Czech Republic have now won each of their previous three matches in all competitions, scoring nine goals in the process.
Remarkably, it is also worth noting that Czech Republic haven't drawn any of their last 35 games – a run that stretches all the way back to 2017.
On the flip side, Belgium went behind to Wales on Wednesday, but goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Thorgan Hazard and Romelu Lukaku saw them come from behind and win.
Lukaku – who is Belgium’s all-time leading scorer – now has 57 goals in 89 games for his country and will be confident of adding to his tally this weekend.
The Red Devils have only lost one of their previous 19 games in all competitions, with their only defeat in that period coming against England in October 2020.
Since then, Belgium have claimed five straight victories, scoring a combined total of 13 goals along the way.
Head-to-head: Czech Republic and Belgium have faced each other seven times over the years, most recently in 2017.
Belgium won the previous meeting 2-1, meaning both nations have claimed three wins in this fixture (one draw).
Team news: Czech Republic survived the Estonia win without picking up any injury, so they are likely to stick with the same starting XI that did so well last time out.
After coming off the bench in midweek, Leandro Trossard and Timothy Castagne will both be pushing for a start for Belgium.
The Czechs may have picked up a high-scoring victory in midweek, but Belgium’s quality should ultimately shine through on Saturday.
Forebet predicts that Belgium will score over 2.5 goals and keep a clean sheet on their way to victory over Czech Republic.