Belgium odds to win Euro 2024: Prediction, tactics, path to the final, squad & form

The last vestiges of Belgium’s golden generation seek to win their nation’s first international title at Euro 2024 this summer.

Now led by former Schalke 04 and RB Leipzig head coach Domenico Tedesco, the Red Devils made light work of their qualifying program, going unbeaten in Group F, albeit finishing a point ahead of Austria.

Despite a gradual change of guard, Belgium is still being tipped as one of those who could go all the way, but as we saw in Qatar, a strong campaign isn’t guaranteed. Many from that disappointing World Cup remain and will want to put things right in Germany.

Latest Belgium odds to win Euro 2024

Belgium route to the Euro 2024 final in Berlin

Group stage fixtures

• Slovakia (17 June 2024, 2pm, Waldstadion)
• Romania (22 June 2024, 8pm, RheinEnergieStadion)
• Ukraine/Iceland (26 June 2024, 5pm, MHPArena)

Belgium potential knockout stage opponents

If Belgium manages to finish in the top two positions of their group, they will directly qualify for the knockout stage and avoid facing another group winner. If they win Group E, they will face a third-placed team from either Group A, B, C or D. On the other hand, if they come second in Group E, they will play against the second-placed team from Group D, which includes France, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, and Wales. Following the group winner route, a potential meeting with the Group D winner or Group F runner-up (Turkey, Georgia/Greece, Portugal, Czech Republic) in the quarter-finals awaits, followed by a potential semi-final with England. Germany, Spain, or Italy could be their Berlin final date.

Belgium key players for this year’s European Championship

Belgium top Euros Golden Boot contender: Romelu Lukaku

• Key stat: Romelu Lukaku reached double figures in goals for his 11th season in the big-5 European Leagues.

There are no guesses about who Belgium will look to for goals this summer. Though often maligned at the club level, despite boasting numbers for which many strikers would bite their arm, Romelu Lukaku is another matter when donning Belgium’s jersey. He is not only their all-time leading scorer with 83 goals, but only Cristiano Ronaldo (128) has bagged more for a European nation.

Lukaku, currently on Chelsea’s books, controversially relocated to Roma last summer, where he reunited with Jose Mourinho, though he’s only returned a modest 18 goals across 37 appearances. However, across his previous nine international appearances, he’s bagged 15 goals, only blanking in one game (0-1 win at Azerbaijan).

Furthermore, in 10 previous European Championship matches, the Antwerpen native registered six goals, proving that he can be dependent on the biggest star.

Belgium primary playmaker: Kevin De Bruyne

• Key stat: Kevin De Bruyne has the most assists of any player in Europe’s big five leagues in all competitions since the start of last season.

Four of Belgium’s ten most capped players are still active. Thibaut Courtois will unlikely be part of Tedesco’s squad this summer, but Jan Vertonghen, Lukaku and their creative genius Kevin De Bruyne will undoubtedly be. A spate of injuries has dogged De Bruyne in recent months, and it’s been a year since he added to his 99 caps. A twelve-match run to start 2024, during which he’s produced 12 assists, reminded anyone who needed reminding that De Bruyne performs on a level above most.

The good news for Belgium is there’s no overreliance on the Manchester City man, as there’s plenty of creativity from the flanks through Johan Bakayoko, Leandro Trossard and even De Bruyne’s clubmate Jeremy Doku. Still, those who follow Belgium will hope their playmaker extraordinaire will be lining up against Slovakia on matchday one.

Belgium card magnets & top tacklers: Koni De Winter

• Key stat: Koni de Winter is the youngest player to start a Champions League match in Juventus history

There is no question that Koni De Winter possesses a bright future. The hope is that he doesn’t go the way of many Juventus youngsters who are serially loaned out. De Winter is currently on loan at Genoa following a spell at Empoli. So far this season, the defender, who can either play in the middle or on the flank, has made his presence known by collecting six yellow cards, more than anyone currently eligible to represent Belgium playing in Europe’s big five leagues. The likelihood is De Winter makes Belgium’s squad as a depth option with their back-four already settled. However, when it comes to fouls committed, that honours belong to Amadou Onana (31) of Everton, with Lukaku’s understudy RB Leipzig striker Loïs Openda (29) not far behind.

Belgium rising star: Johan Bakayoko

There was a considerable fear that beyond the fabled golden generation, Belgium wasn’t producing talent of comparable ability. It remains to be seen whether the new class lives up to their predecessors, but someone many observers feel can reach those lofty heights is PSV winger Johan Bakayoko, who is already tipped for a Premier League move. Bakayoko is among the biggest reasons why Peter Bosz’s side is racing away with the Dutch championship; the 20-year-old forward has chipped in with eight assists, more than any Belgian playing across Europe’s top seven leagues while netting six himself.

He’s also created 53 chances, with a considerable drop to Atalanta midfielder Charles De Ketelaere, who has posted 39. Having cemented his spot on Belgium’s right wing, he scored one goal through 10 international appearances while creating two more for his teammates. Among those he’s likely to share a future Belgium team with is 19-year-old Arthur Vermeeren, who recently swapped boyhood club Royal Antwerp for Atlético Madrid, but the talented midfielder who could potentially fill the shoes vacated by De Bruyne remains a work in progress but will undoubtedly receive plenty of opportunities as he navigates this critical part of his development.

Belgium set-piece specialists

• Penalties: Romelu Lukaku
• Free kicks: Kevin De Bruyne
• Corners: Kevin De Bruyne

Belgium tactical analysis and formation

Belgium team stats from qualifying (average per game):

• Corners in qualifying: 7.6
• Corners conceded: 2.5
• Shots on target: 5.3
• Shots on target conceded: 2.4
• Offsides: 1.4

Since being appointed Belgium’s national team manager, succeeding the long-tenured Roberto Martinez, Domenico Tedesco has been flexible in the Red Devils’ lineup. One thing is sure: they’ll be going with a back four, with him never diverting from that in any of his 11 matches. So far, he’s used five different formations, with 4-2-3-1 being the most common, which should be the shape Belgium predominantly takes. During their unbeaten Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, they averaged 58.13% possession and 86% passing accuracy per game.

His first game in charge was a 0-3 win at Sweden; they started in 4-1-3-2 with Trossard and Lukaku up top with De Bruyne sandwiched between two wingers. His first game in charge was a 0-3 win at Sweden; they started in 4-1-3-2 with Trossard and Lukaku up top with De Bruyne sandwiched between two wingers. A healthy KDB takes up the number 10 role in Belgium’s expected 4-2-3-1, with Lukaku leading the forward line. Bakayoko and Trossard should occupy the flanks, though Doku will provide stiff competition. Koen Casteels is currently in possession of the number one journey, with Wout Faes and Jan Vertonghen sitting in front as Belgium’s first-choice central defensive pairing.

Belgium latest squad

Read more on Euro 2024:

• Which teams have qualified for Euro 2024?
• When is the Euro 2024 final?