Belgium are clearly a side on the up but they should be bigger than evens to beat Croatia on Tuesday and I’m happy to take them on at the prices.
There has been plenty of hype surrounding this group of Belgian players for some time now and under manager Marc Wilmots they are starting to show their true potential.
It is a squad packed with young talent but there is still a long way to go and we didn’t learn much about them on Friday when easing to a 2-0 win over ten-man Wales.
Goals from defenders Vincent Kompany and Jan Vertonghen gave the Belgians all three points in their opening World Cup qualifier but they will face a different test altogether against Croatia, another side that started with a maximum haul.
A 1-0 win against Macedonia in front of their owns on Friday set them on their way, a Nikica Jelavic strike separating the two teams, and it is just five defeats for Croatia in their previous 32 matches.
Croatia exited Euro 2012 at the group stage but they were excellent when beating Ireland and there was no disgrace in drawing with runners-up Italy or going down 1-0 to eventual champions Spain.
History shows that Croatia were massively up against it in Poland in such a strong section but their overall record in recent years is excellent and they are more than capable of gaining results on their travels.
New manager Igor Stimac, who has replaced Slaven Bilic, will be more than hopefully of extending Croatia’s recent run of just two losses in 16 previous away games and, with Luka Modric pulling the strings, there is every chance of them doing so.
Alongside Jelavic, new Bayern Munich signing Mario Mandzukic provides a goal threat and both Spain and Italy were kept at bay for long enough periods during the summer to suggest Croatia are well organised defensively to repel anything Belgium have to throw at them, too.
If Belgium do have a weakness it is the lack of a top class striker and I think one goal for Croatia will be enough for them to grab at least a point; a result both teams would probably be satisfied with at this early stage of qualification.
2pts Lay Belgium (vs. Croatia)@ 2.00 (Betfair)