The Republic of Ireland and Belgium face each other this weekend at Aviva Stadium (Dublin) in a thrilling international friendly fixture. Match day schedules for 26th March 2022 at 20:00 EAT.
Republic of Ireland will try and extend their six-game unbeaten streak on Saturday afternoon when they play host to one of the continent’s heavyweights, Belgium, in a friendly at Aviva Stadium. The Boys in Green have however failed to qualify for each of the last five World Cups and they were also not present at Euro 2020, with their last participation in a major tournament coming at Euro 2016.
Ireland will be looking for another win following the 0-3 WC Qualifiers – Europe success to beat Luxembourg in their last game. In that match, Ireland had 56% possession, 17 shots with seven of them on target and goals scored by Shane Duffy (67′), Chiedozie Ogbene (75′) and Callum Robinson (88′). Luxembourg got eight shots with two of them on target.
Meanwhile, Belgium has qualified for the 2022 World Cup, picking up 20 points from eight matches to finish at the top of Group E, securing an automatic spot in the finals of the competition. The club will take on Republic of Ireland and Burkina Faso in their two friendlies this month before beginning their UEFA Nations League campaign against the Netherlands early June.
The Red Devils shared spoils 1-1 WC Qualifiers – Europe with Wales in their last fixture. In that match, Belgium had 76% possession, 16 shots with four of them on target and a goal scored by Kevin De Bruyne (12′). Wales on the other end got eight shots with three on target and a goal by Kieffer Moore (32′).
Republic of Ireland vs Belgium head to head
Belgium boasts a slight upper hand in the history of this fixture, claiming six wins from the last 15 meetings between the sides. Ireland has picked up 13 wins in that time, while five games have ended in stalemates.
- Belgium 3-0 Ireland 18/06/16Â Â Â Â Â
- Ireland 0-0 Belgium 29/04/87
- Belgium 2-2 Ireland 10/09/86
Home
- Luxembourg 0-3 Ireland
- Ireland 0-0 Portugal
- Ireland 4-0 Qatar
- Azerbaijan 0-3 Ireland
- Ireland 1-1 Serbia
Away
- Wales 1-1 Belgium
- Belgium 3-1 Estonia
- Italy 2-1 Belgium
- Belgium 2-3 France
- Belarus 0-1 Belgium
Republic of Ireland team news
The hosts will be without the services of Darragh Lenihan, Jamie McGrath and Adam Idah, who have all been sidelined through injuries.
Belgium team news
The visitors have no fitness or suspensions concerns ahead of this fixture.
Prediction and odds
Ireland may be tough to beat at home but recently they’ve found wins hard to come by too and six of their last nine home games have been draws while Belgium have only managed one win in their last four games and they were held to a 1-1 draw in Wales in their last outing.
- Draw
- Belgium win
- Both teams to score
