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Belgium vs. Iceland 9/8/20 UEFA Nations League Soccer Pick, Odds, and Prediction

Belgium vs. Iceland 9/8/20 UEFA Nations League Soccer Pick, Odds, and Prediction
2020-09-08 14:45:00 EDT

Belgium is welcoming Iceland to Stade Roi Baudouin in round 2 in the UEFA Nations League.

Belgium is playing well, and their winning streak has now extended to 11 games in a row. Belgium was playing against Denmark in their first match in the Nations League, and they were a little bit slow, but still the better team with 50% of ball possession, 5 shots on goal, 4 corner kicks, 3 big chances created, and solid 84% of the correct passes. With 1 goal in each half, Belgium has won this match 0-2. Denayer and Mertens have scored 1 goal each for Belgium so far, while Mertens also added an assist. Belgium is the best team in Europe, and like many teams, Belgium is a little rusty after such a long break, but they are getting back on track. Belgium is a goalscoring machine, but more importantly, Belgium is a fantastic team in the defensive end where they conceded only 3 goals in their last 11 games. In the Euro Cup next year, Belgium will be playing against Denmark, Finland, and Russia, and Belgium shouldn’t have a lot of trouble winning the top spot. Belgium was playing without Eden Hazard and De Bruyne in their first game, but at least one of these two players will be in the lineup for this match, but it doesn’t matter much because Belgium is extremely dangerous even without them.

Iceland was defending remarkably well in their game against England despite missing a couple of important players. Iceland has had only 22% of ball possession, 0 shots on goal, 1 corner kick, and low 67% of the correct passes. As I’ve said, Iceland was defending well, but in the 91st minute, Iceland has conceded a penalty kick, and England was ahead. Just when we thought the game is over, Iceland was rewarded a penalty kick in the 93rd minute, but unfortunately for them, Bjarnason missed that penalty, and Iceland has lost this match 0-1. Iceland has not yet qualified for Euro Cup next year, and in order to do so, Iceland will need to beat Romania in the Qualification Playoffs next year. In this Nations League, Iceland is in a group with England, Belgium, and Denmark, and they will be forced to defend against all of those teams, and if Iceland wants to win any games in the Nations League, they will need to start producing more offense. Iceland is not an offensive team simply because they don’t have the quality, which is why Iceland is focused on defense, which only works against the weaker teams.

Iceland was hanging in there against England, but Belgium is a faster and more precise team, and I think Iceland will not have a good time against Belgium. Belgium and Iceland have played 5 times against each other, and Belgium has won all 5 of those games. Belgium is probably at least 2 classes above Iceland, and I think that will be visible in this game.

Goran Kucar's Free Pick: Belgium and over 2.5 -150

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Goran Kucar

I was born and raised in Croatia, and with that, I was raised with soccer all around me. I love playing soccer, watching soccer, and now I love writing and handicapping soccer at PickDawgz and SportsChatPlace.

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