New Zealand vs Belgium predictions: Crucial clash could provide plenty of action
Jamie Griffith
New Zealand drew their opening game but were beaten 3-1 last time
Belgium have drawn their first two group-stage matches
Recommended bet: Both teams to score
Life after a golden generation can often be miserable for national teams and Belgium are certainly feeling that right now. The retirements of Eden Hazard, Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld have hit them hard while Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku are not the players they once were.
The Red Devils are still searching for a first win of the 2026 World Cup and despite being drawn into a kind section, they need to find that maiden victory against New Zealand, also in need of three points, when they clash in Vancouver on Saturday morning.
The latest New Zealand vs Belgium odds are available on LiveScore Bet.
Team news
New Zealand named an unchanged lineup for their second game and a lack of depth means manager Darren Bazeley is unlikely to change things up too much.
Nathan Ngoy is suspended after being sent off against Iran but Belgium have received a boost as Jeremy Doku has returned from London following the birth of his child and should start.
The latest New Zealand vs Belgium odds are available on LiveScore Bet.
The stats
New Zealand are without a win in four games, losing three.
Belgium have drawn three of their last five matches.
Both teams have scored in three of New Zealand’s last five games.
Over 2.5 goals has landed in 11 straight All Whites matches.
Chris Wood has set up two of New Zealand’s three goals at the World Cup.
Belgium’s only goal at the tournament so far was put into his own net by Egypt defender Mohamed Hany.
The latest New Zealand vs Belgium odds are available on LiveScore Bet.
Prediction
Belgium were expected to dominate a group containing Iran, Egypt and New Zealand and while that has yet to come to fruition, they will still expect to progress given their final game comes against the lowest ranked of that trio.
That said, it cannot be ignored that their North American journey has only yielded draws with Iran and Egypt, teams who lack the overall quality of the Red Devils.
Fingers are rightly being pointed at Rudi Garcia, who has not succeeded in a managerial role since the 2010s, and his ineffective Belgians are not likely to have it all their way in Vancouver.
New Zealand clearly have the firepower to hurt teams. They put two past Iran, a team that shut out Belgium, and also netted in their defeat to Egypt, so there is every chance they find the net alongside the Red Devils, who will go on the front foot as they really have to win if they are to put together a deep run this summer.
Doku returns with a point to prove, Lukaku is proven at World Cups and De Bruyne is still capable of the occasional moment of magic.
This is not a vintage Belgium, and they are hard to trust, but breaching a defence which has shipped five goals in two games should be simple enough, even if they fail to keep a clean sheet at the other end.
Back Both teams to score at 59/50 with LiveScore Bet.
Score prediction: New Zealand 1-2 Belgium
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