World Cup 2014 Group H preview: Belgium v Russia

Belgium (odds-on at 10/11) and Russia (10/3) have faced each other three times history, with the latter being undefeated and winning two of those encounters. The most recent was a 2-0 victory in 2010, with Romelu Lukaku scoring both. He is 6/1 to bag a brace or better again.

That scoreline to occur again in the Red Devils’ favour is 8/1. Their other win over Russia came at the 2002 World Cup. It was 3-2 that day, and that same result is priced at 33/1.

Belgium (2/5 odds-on favourites to top group H) opened their tournament campaign in Brazil with a nervy 2-1 victory over Algeria, after second half goals from Maroune Fellaini and Dries Mertens overturned a 1-0 deficit. Those scorers are priced at 10/3 and 2/1 respectively to net again anytime.

Russia (11/4 to win the group), on the other hand, drew their opener with South Korea 1-1 – again coming from behind. Frontman Aleksandr Kerzhakov got the equalising goal, and he is favourite for the Eastern Europeans to score anytime again at 15/8.

Usually reliable keeper Igor Akinfeev was at fault for the opener, though, as he fumbled (a la Rob Green) a standard long range effort from Lee Keun-Ho through his hands.

But Russia manager Fabio Capello defended his number one stopper. “Just like some players can miss penalties it can happen that a keeper makes a mistake as well,” he explained. “You can accept a mistake from a great keeper like Akinfeev.

“It turned out fine as we were able to make up the difference. I’m very happy with him.”