Serbia - Belgium Betting Preview: Back the visitors to edge a tight encounter

Oct 12, 2012 10:20:00 AM

Sinisa Mihajlovic's side will be keen to build on last month's thumping of Wales but Willie Duncan expects Marc Wilmots' men to spoil the party by picking up all three points

Both Serbia and Belgium garnered four points from their opening two fixtures in their quest to qualify for World Cup 2014 and the stage is set for a hugely intriguing meeting when the two sides clash on Friday night.

Serbia opened their campaign with a dour 0-0 draw against Scotland at Hampden Park, before thrashing Chris Coleman’s Wales 6-1 in their opening home match of the campaign and Mihajlovic’s men are chalked up at 8/5 (2.60) with Marathon Bet to register a second successive home win by seeing off Friday’s visitors.

Belgium won away in Wales before following up with a 1-1 home draw against Croatia and Marathon Bet offer a chunky 48/25 (2.92) that Wilmots’ side pick up another three points on the road here.

The same firm go 47/20 (3.35) that the match ends in stalemate.

Prior to smashing six past the Welsh, Serbia had managed just one goal in their six previous matches and Mihajlovic will hope that his side maintain their scoring touch in a bid to seize the initiative on the road to Rio.

Serbia’s home form, though, was patchy at best when they failed to qualify for Euro 2012, picking up just eight points from a possible 15, while Belgium have lost just two of their last 10 matches away from home – against England and Germany – and another frustrating night could lie ahead for the Serbs here.

A tight match is widely anticipated so the 17/25 (1.68) quote from Marathon Bet for fewer than three goals to be scored looks to carry considerable appeal and should be supported.

Marathon Bet offer a tempting 37/5 (8.40) for the visitors to edge a 1-0 victory and that looks to represent outstanding value here given that Wilmots has plenty of quality to choose from in the attacking third of the pitch - despite the enforced absence of Everton's Marouane Fellaini through injury.

Serbia will not be found wanting in terms of effort but their young side may lack the necessary experience to stop Marc Wilmots’ classy side and it is worth siding with Belgium at a tasty 48/25 (2.92) to improve upon their already impressive away record with three points on Friday.

BET

OF THE

DAY

BEST BET

VALUE BET

Belgium to win at 48/25 (2.92) with Marathon Bet

Belgium to win 1-0 at 37/5 (8.40) with Marathon Bet

Willie Duncan is a freelance sports journalist. Willie, from Edinburgh, has covered Scottish football for over 10 years and he specialises in football betting markets from across Europe. You can also follow Willie on Twitter

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