Euro 2024

Euro 2024 Fantasy team previews: Belgium

Next up in our Euro 2024 Fantasy team previews is Belgium.

The Red Devils were quarter-finalists at the last two European Championships but failed to progress from the group stage at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

They have quickly rebuilt, however, and head coach Domenico Tedesco remains unbeaten since succeeding Roberto Martinez in February last year.

In these country-by-country guides, we’ll be looking at the best players from each nation, taking a stab at predicted line-ups, reviewing the road to Germany and more.

To do this, we’ll be calling on the help of correspondents from each country. Here, we hear from Fantasy Football Scout user Toon Heylen.

And new to these team previews is a Premium Members section detailing the official Opta data from Euro ’24 qualification. This data has recently arrived in our Members Area, so sign up today to gain access to the all-important stats you need for this summer’s Euro Fantasy game.

All prices given are from the official Fantasy Euro 2024 game.

THE ROAD TO QUALIFICATION

PosTeamPWDLGFGADiffPts
1Belgium8620224+1820
2Austria8611177+1019
3Sweden83141412+210
4Azerbaijan8215717-107
5Estonia8017222−201

Belgium breezed through qualifying, finishing top of Group F ahead of Austria, Sweden, Azerbaijan and Estonia.

The Red Devils won six and drew two of their eight matches, finishing with 20 points, in an unbeaten campaign that included 5-0 home wins over Estonia and Azerbaijan.

They also beat their main Group F rivals Austria 3-2 in October to confirm their place at a third successive European Championship.

The qualifier at home to Sweden counted as a 1-1 draw after the match was suspended at half-time and later abandoned after the fatal shooting of two Swedes in Brussels.

22 goals were scored overall while conceding just four.

Romelu Lukaku (€9.0m) was the top scorer in the qualification campaign, with a record 14 goals from eight starts. He scored in all but one of his appearances and put four past Azerbaijan in November, his second hat-trick of the Euro 2024 qualifiers.

Elsewhere, versatile Rennes defender Arthur Theate (€4.5m) started every qualifier, as did Timothy Castagne (€5.0m), Wout Faes (€4.0m) and Lukaku.

Tedesco also utilised exciting young talents such as Jeremy Doku (€7.0m) and Johan Bakayoko (€7.0m), who chipped in with seven combined attacking returns.


QUALIFICATION IN NUMBERS

  • Most starts: Timothy Castagne, Wout Faes, Romelu Lukaku, Arthur Theate (8)
  • Most goals: Romelu Lukaku (14), Leandro Trossard, Dodi Lukebakio (2)
  • Most assists: Jeremy Doku (4), Dodi Lukebakio, Yannick Carrasco, Orel Mangala (3)
  • Clean sheets: 5 from 8
UNDERLYING STATS

RECORD SINCE QUALIFYING

DateCompetitionOppositionResultScoreGoalscorersAssists
23 MarchFriendlyRepublic of Ireland (a)D0-0
26 MarchFriendlyEngland (a)D2-2Tielemans x2Onana, Lukaku
5 JuneFriendlyMontenegro (h)W2-0De Bruyne, TrossardDoku

In March, Belgium played out a 0-0 draw with Republic of Ireland.

A much changed XI, missing Kevin De Bruyne (€9.5m) and Lukaku, struggled to create any clear-cut chances at the Aviva Stadium, with just four shots in the box.

However, their performance at Wembley a few days later was much improved.

Youri Tielemans (€6.0m) netted a brace, first punishing Jordan Pickford’s (€5.0m) poor clearance before Lukaku’s excellent cross set up his second.

The Aston Villa man was a constant threat as Belgium’s most advanced midfielder in a 4-3-3, while Doku also impressed.

Then, in the first of two friendlies before they head to the European Championship, Belgium defeated Montenegro 2-0 on Wednesday.

De Bruyne marked his 100th international cap with a goal, before Trossard sealed the victory from the penalty spot after Doku was fouled in the box.


MOST RECENT INTERNATIONAL LINE-UPS

26/03/2024 – England (a)

(4-3-3): Sels; Castagne, Debast (Faes 83), Vertonghen, Theate (Vranckx 71); Onana, Mangala (Openda 82), Tielemans (Meunier 71); Trossard (Lukebakio 60), Doku, Lukaku (Batshuayi 83)

05/06/2024 – Montenegro (h)

(4-2-3-1): Casteels; Meunier (Castagne 46), Faes (Witsel 46), Debast; De Cuyper; Vermeeren, Onana (Doku 46); Bakayoko (Mangala 46), De Bruyne (Trossard 46), Carrasco (Lukebakio 46); Openda


UPCOMING FIXTURES

DateCompetitionOpposition
8 JuneFriendlyLuxembourg (h)

GROUP FIXTURES

Fantasy Euro 2024 complete guide: Best players, squads, team reveals + more 1

  • 17 June: Slovakia
  • 22 June: Romania
  • 26 June: Ukraine

HOW FAR WILL THEY GET?

“I think the Red Devils must be capable to win their relatively easy Group E (Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania). As a group winner they’ll play one of the best third placed teams.

“As I consider Belgium ‘the best of the rest’ (after the usual suspects and favourites England, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal and to a lesser extent Italy and the Netherlands), I see their adventure coming to an end when they meet one of those teams.

“This will probably be in the quarter-final.” – Toon Heylen


STRENGTHS

“Belgium still has a strong attack with the likes of De Bruyne, Trossard, Doku and Lukaku.

“De Bruyne and Doku have the ability to create scoring chances, while Trossard and Lukaku can finish those opportunities.” – Toon Heylen


WEAKNESSES

“What used to be one of Belgium’s main strengths has now become their main weakness: their defence. In the not so distant past Belgium could line up with a world class defence of Courtois, Vertonghen, Vermaelen, Kompany and Alderweireld, all in their prime.

“Nowadays only Vertonghen remains. However, he is currently carrying an injury so it will be a race against time to get him fully fit for the opener against Slovakia on June 17. While the other backline options surely have some qualities, none of them have the talent of their illustrious predecessors.” – Toon Heylen


BEST EURO 2024 FANTASY PLAYERS: BELGIUM

 

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24 Comments Post a Comment
  1. F4L
    • 9 Years
    6 months, 7 days ago

    KDB's end of season performances were so bad for City, do people really think he's going to be able find some form at the Euros?

  2. F4L
    • 9 Years
    6 months, 7 days ago

    have to say the rules for this game sound hmm interesting. When a goal is scored from a solo run/dribble no assist is awarded. no assist for penalties won by handball. that goal was definitely from outside the box! no i for sure counted 4 ball recoveries. and then the motm award randomness.

    ready for the carnage lol

    1. Charlie Price
      • 3 Years
      6 months, 7 days ago

      UEFA games usually retain my interest until say the QF/SF stage onwards when everyone has the same template team. Almost impossible to gain rank from hereon in.

      Don’t like the rather arbitrary MOM awards either rather than an FPL style bonus points system. I have nevertheless entered a team and gone rather top heavy on budget with my forwards (Mbappe, Kane, Ronaldo) and premium defenders.

      Not convinced that KDB is worth the money anymore. Also, Bellingham now costs 2 million more than he did in UCL fantasy. Currently looking elsewhere for my midfielders.

  3. notlob legin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 months, 7 days ago

    What's your view on the England squad?

    I actually really like the balance but I'd have taken Braithwaite over Dunk

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 months, 7 days ago

      This is literally the only decision I would have made differently, really pleased with the squad

    2. Ginkapo FPL
      • 13 Years
      6 months, 7 days ago

      Steve Holland needs to apologise to Ben White or be sacked

      1. panda07
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 months, 7 days ago

        I'm not familiar with what happened here Ginks, could you educate me please?

        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 13 Years
          6 months, 6 days ago

          Steve Holland asked the defends what tactical style of passing they prefer. The City boys had answers, but Ben said he didnt know. So Holland mocked him, saying, 'he wasnt dedicated enough to football'. Ben famously doesnt watch football, he prefers to play it. They havent seen eye to eye ever since, as Holland appears to be a toxic coach.

          No Ben doesnt know the theory, but he is clearly tactically astute given he can play every position across the backline fluidly and midfield. Holland appears to be an incompetent teacher who doesnt know how to treat players.

          Ben has said that playing for England is not worth being treated like dirt.

          1. jc841
            • 2 Years
            6 months, 6 days ago

            Ben needs to nut up.

    3. Tasty Jerk
      • 12 Years
      6 months, 7 days ago

      My view is I am happy. As a Palace supporter have to pinch myself we have 4 players in the squad (most of any English club) - personally I only think 2 of them will get much game time (Eze/Wharton) - ok maybe Guéhi as well but he missed quite allot of end of season for us. Rest of the squad makes sense to me, really looking forward to the Euros now.

  4. Union_Jacks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 months, 7 days ago

    No grealish is such a blow. Offers something completely different to the other wide forwards drawing in fouls etc… feels a bit of an error that

    1. Charlie Price
      • 3 Years
      6 months, 7 days ago

      Only started 10 games for City last season. Why? Injuries, lack of form? Pep no longer convinced by him so no surprise if Southgate follows suit.

      1. Union_Jacks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 months, 7 days ago

        Yep form loss and untimely injuries.

        Saw the other night what he can offer though, thought he changed the game.

        He’s a different mould of forward than the rest.

    2. Ginkapo FPL
      • 13 Years
      6 months, 7 days ago

      Agreed, but we need to be scoring 5 with this squad, so Eze more useful

  5. Moxon
    • 10 Years
    6 months, 7 days ago

    Verbruggen
    Dimarco | Guehi | Mittelstadt
    Foden | Gundogan | Rodri | Jorginho
    Kane | Mbappe | Lukaku

    Lunin | Bruno | Cancelo | Faes

    Thoughts on this?

    1. BUZZBOMB ♡
      • 9 Years
      6 months, 7 days ago

      Like it a lot. Think Guehi starts?

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 13 Years
        6 months, 7 days ago

        Could easily be Dunk

      2. Moxon
        • 10 Years
        6 months, 7 days ago

        I think so - Guehi could be Tah if I choose to play it safe

    2. Willows Whiskers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      6 months, 6 days ago

      I would swap Foden for Saka and then with the extra 0.5M in funds, transfer Verbruggen for either Pickford or Costa.
      The Dutch face France in MD2, yet England and Portugal have much easier fixtures.

  6. F4L
    • 9 Years
    6 months, 7 days ago

    on the ball recovery front are any players expected to be getting 6+ a game regularly? or those going for Rudiger/VVD/Rodri etc just hoping for 1 extra point a game