Belgium crashed out of the 2022 World Cup at the group stage, taking four points from a possible nine.
However, they have high hopes of doing much better at Euro 2024 and will be targeting maximum points against Slovakia in their Group E opener, which kicks off at 17:00 on Sunday and is live on ITV1.
Italian head coach Domenico Tedesco took over from Roberto Martinez after Belgium’s struggles in Qatar and he soon got the team back on track.
The Belgians breezed through qualification and are unbeaten in 14 matches under Tedesco’s stewardship.
Slovakia are also making progress under an Italian head coach, Francesco Calzona, who steered them safely through the qualifying process.
They finished a strong second to Portugal in qualifying Group J and are looking forward to being involved at a third consecutive European Championship finals.
Belgium and both teams to score – 9/4
Belgium have got used to playing a high intensity, attacking brand of football over the last 18 months and they can kick off their Euro 2024 challenge with a high-scoring success over Slovakia in Frankfurt.
Failing to advance beyond the 2022 World Cup group stage seemed like a watershed moment for the Belgians, who were coming to the end of their so-called golden generation.
However, instead of embarking on a tricky period of transition they appear to be moving on to another exciting chapter.
Experienced stars Romelu Lukaku, Jan Vertonghen and Kevin de Bruyne have hung around for another major tournament and they are complemented by rising stars Jeremy Doku, Johann Bakayoko, Amadou Onana, Lois Openda and Charles De Ketelaere, who have all become important members of the squad.
Belgium stayed unbeaten in a tricky qualifying section, finishing ahead of Austria and Sweden, and they should not be overlooked this summer.
While the Belgians have every chance of a successful tournament, they need to be careful not to underestimate Slovakia, who are probably a better side than they were at Euro 2020 when they failed to reach the round of 16.
The Slovaks operate from a strong defensive base, with Paris Saint-Germain defender Milan Skriniar anchoring the back-line.
But they played an adventurous style in qualifying and netted 17 goals across their 10 matches.
Slovakia are capable of scoring against Belgium, but they may struggle to keep the back door shut and may slide to an entertaining defeat.
Romelu Lukaku to score the first goal – 3/1
Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku scored the first of his 85 international goals as a 17-year-old in November 2010, but he remains an instrumental player for the Red Devils and can strike the first blow against Slovakia at the Frankfurt Arena.
The Belgians have a pool of exciting attackers coming through, but they are happy to rely on Lukaku as their offensive focal point.
Lukaku remains a Chelsea player, but has just completed a solid season-long loan with Roma, scoring 13 goals in 32 Serie A appearances.
He contributed 14 of Belgium’s 22 goals in qualifying and looks like an obvious candidate to open their Euro 2024 goalscoring account.
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