Our prediction for this match:
Ireland
Match Time & Date:
26/03/2022
12:00 PM
Prediction: 1-1
Belgium
Aviva Stadium will host Saturday’s friendly between Republic of Ireland and Belgium, the two teams who meet for the first time since June 2016. Back then Belgium rolled over Ireland 3-0, and the Red Devils are once again seen as hot favourites to win the match. Swansea City striker Michael Obafemi has been left out of the Ireland squad, while Oxford United midfielder Mark Sykes has received his first call-up. St. Mirren’s Connor Ronan could make his debut against Belgium as well. Roberto Martinez, on the other hand, will use March friendlies to test as many players as possible.
All Toby Alderweireld, Yannick Carrasco, Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens, Thomas Meunier, Jan Vertonghen, and Axel Witsel have been left out of the squad. As a result, a man to watch in the away team will be Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans. Taking everything into account, a close encounter is on the cards in Dublin, and we are tempted to put our money on draw.
Highlighted Player (Eric Bailly):
Eric Bailly started his youth career at Espanyol and he made five league appearances for the first team as well. In 2015 he joined fellow La Liga side Villarreal and after playing 35 league games for the Camp El Madrigal outfit, the Ivory Coast defenders signed a four-year contract with Manchester United.
Eric Bailly is well known for his speed and he is very strong physically. He plays as a centre back, but he is capable of playing as a full back if needed as well. Bailly made his Ivory Coast debut on 11 January, 2015 in a friendly game against Nigeria. The 187-cm-tall defender represented the Elephants at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations and, no doubt, he helped the team win the prestigious trophy at the tournament in Equatorial Guinea.
Eric Bailly participated in the 2016 Community Shield final and it has to be noted that Manchester United defeated Leicester City 2-1 in the Wembley Stadium clash.
Highlighted Team (Belgium):
Present on the international stage since 1904, Belgium national team have had plenty of ups and downs in the past, finishing as runners up at the 1980 European Championship in Italy. The Red Devils also won the third place on home soil at the 1972 tournament, while they enjoyed some success at the World Cup finals as well.
Belgium qualified for 12 World Cup tournaments, reaching the semi-finals in 1986 and quarter-finals at the 2014 tournament in Brazil. It is the generation that played in Brazil that is believed to be the most talented team since the one featuring Enzo Scifo, Michel Preud’homme and Franky van der Elst.
Playing their home games at King Baudouin Stadium, the Red Devils have impressed at the start of the 21st century, with the likes of Eden Hazard, Vincent Kompany, Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne just some of the world-class players in the squad. Following some impressive results in the Euro 2016 qualifiers and international friendlies, Belgium climbed to number 1 position in the FIFA Rankings in November 2015.
Liverpool
Burnley
Tottenham
Brighton
AS Roma
Inter
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayern Munich 
Nottingham Forest 
Newcastle 
Real Madrid 
Girona
