International Friendly 2022 preview: Ireland vs Belgium

 Ireland News:

Blackburn defender Darragh Lenihan has withdrawn from the Ireland squad through injury.

Ireland finished their World Cup qualification campaign well and Stephen Kenny will hope to continue that work into 2022.

There will need to be a change in attack as neither Jamie McGrath nor Adam Idah are available for Ireland.

 

Belgium News:

Roberto Martinez has turned to new players for this international break. He has given the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois time off.

Meanwhile, Koen Casteels has withdrawn from the squad through injury.

 

Prediction:

Ireland failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, ultimately paying the price for starting their campaign with three straight defeats. In truth, however, they were fighting a losing battle trying to qualify in one of the top two positions with Serbia and Portugal in their group.

Belgium topped their group as expected and now Roberto Martinez is using this period between now and December to look else Belgium has to offer beyond their household names. He has rested nearly all of his main players for this break so expect plenty of rotation from the Belgium head coach.

Even without the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and Dries Mertens, Belgium will still be expected to come away with the victory this weekend.