Israelvs.Belgium

After a dismal campaign, the Belgians must merely avoid losing by three goals in Budapest, though they still face the prospect of a relegation playoff.

Match preview

Belgium's slim hopes of securing a spot in the Nations League quarter-finals were definitively ended by their third defeat of the season on Thursday, when Group 2 leaders Italy left Brussels with maximum points.

Sandro Tonali put the Azzurri in front after a costly slip by Maxim De Cuyper - who had scored a superb goal during October's reverse fixture, a 2-2 draw in Rome - and despite their strong finish, the hosts could not fight back.

Stand-in captain Romelu Lukaku headed wide and Wout Faes struck a post, but another defeat for the Red Devils will ultimately add more pressure to the shoulders of under-fire manager Domenico Tedesco.

Including a fairly miserable Euro 2024 campaign, his side have now won just one of their last seven matches - September's 3-1 success against Israel on neutral turf.

Occupying third place, with a three-point lead over Sunday's opponents, Belgium seem to be heading for a relegation playoff, which would determine whether they can keep their long-held League A status.

That would take place in March, but whether their current coach will still be in charge is in question: the Belgian FA have opened talks with estranged star Thibaut Courtois about his potential return, and the Real Madrid goalkeeper has sworn never to work with Tedesco again.

Having picked up just one point so far, Israel's fate is almost sealed, as they can only enter the relegation playoffs if they beat Belgium by three goals or more at Budapest's Bozsik Arena.

Otherwise, they will be demoted straight back down to League B, from which they gained promotion in the previous Nations League.

Four defeats from four matches across September and October left Ran Ben Shimon's side stuck to the foot of Group 2, but they did scrap out a draw amid strange circumstances at Stade de France earlier this week.

The Sky-Blue and Whites held their French hosts to a 0-0 draw on Thursday, against the backdrop of a near-empty stadium and incidents of fan violence, with Bayern Munich goalkeeper Daniel Peretz excelling himself to keep a clean sheet.

Ranked 81st in the world by FIFA, Israel have been slightly out of their depth at Europe's top level, and even frustrating France with a dogged defensive display is unlikely to spark the three-goal win now needed to avoid the drop.

Israel Nations League form:

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Israel form (all competitions):

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Belgium Nations League form:

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Belgium form (all competitions):

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Team News

Domenico Tedesco may be tempted to make changes on Sunday night, as pairing Lois Openda with all-time top scorer Romelu Lukaku did not quite work out against Italy.

With a more attacking approach expected against lesser opponents, Belgium could bring in Dodi Lukebakio and Johan Bakayoko to add width in the final third, while RB Leipzig midfielder Arthur Vermeeren is also a contender for promotion from the bench.

Tedesco's options are a little limited elsewhere, as the Red Devils are missing captain Kevin De Bruyne this month, in addition to Thomas Meunier, Jeremy Doku, Charles De Ketelaere, Youri Tielemans and Malick Fofana.

Israel are likely to select a similar starting XI to that which defied France, packing their defence in a 5-4-1 formation.

Either Dor Turgeman, Tai Baribo or Dean David should lead the line up front, supported by Oscar Gloukh and Leeds United loanee Manor Solomon - the latter returned to national-team duty in midweek after missing October's camp through injury.

In the absence of Red Star Belgrade goalkeeper Omri Glazer due to injury, Bayern back-up Daniel Peretz is set to start between the posts once more, earning his fourth senior cap.

Israel possible starting lineup:

Peretz; Dasa, Nachimas, Shlomo, Goldberg, Haziza; Solomon, Abu Fani, Jaber, Gloukh; David

Belgium possible starting lineup:

Casteels; Castagne, Debast, Faes, Theate; Mangala, Onana; Lukebakio, Trossard, Bakayoko; Lukaku

We say: Israel 0-2 Belgium

Belgium ultimately brushed aside Israel when they last met in Hungary, firing in 25 shots and having two-thirds of the ball.

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