Belgium should handle Egypt comfortably in this World Cup opener at Seattle Stadium. Their recent friendlies tell a clear story of a side hitting form at the right time. Four wins and a draw across those games stand out, with a 5-0 thrashing of Tunisia and a 2-0 victory over Croatia the highlights.
Egypt arrive with a more mixed record. They fell 2-1 to Brazil but picked up wins against Russia and Saudi Arabia plus a draw with Spain. That inconsistency could prove costly against a Belgium attack packed with quality.
Kevin De Bruyne sits at the heart of it all. His creativity in midfield has been key in those big friendly wins. Romelu Lukaku and Jérémy Doku add real threat up front too. Egypt will lean heavily on Mohamed Salah to create chances, with Omar Marmoush supporting him.
No injuries or suspensions hit either squad, so both coaches can pick close to full strength. Predicted lineups point to Belgium in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 shape featuring Courtois in goal and De Bruyne pulling strings. Egypt look set for a 4-2-3-1 with El Shenawy between the posts and Salah leading the line.
And with both teams on zero points in Group G, this match sets the tone. Iran and New Zealand wait later, yet Belgium are rightly favored here. Egypt have never won a World Cup game and face a tough ask to change that record.
Expect Belgium to control possession and create plenty. Their 5-2 win over the USA showed how clinical they can be when the mood takes them. Egypt's defense will need to be at its best to keep the score down.
Recommended Bets
Belgium to win @1.85 — Unbeaten in recent friendlies with four wins and strong attacking output.
Belgium -1.5 handicap @2.40 — They have posted big scorelines in three of their last four games.
Mohamed Salah anytime goalscorer @2.30 — Egypt's main threat and likely to get chances even in defeat.
Odds tend to shorten closer to kickoff — lock in value now.
