Having flattered to deceive at last summer's World Cup in Brazil, there is little doubt that Belgium will be determined to give a better account of themselves at Euro 2016.

Of course, they must secure their place at the tournament first, with their latest qualifier pitting them against Bosnia-Herzegovina at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Thursday evening.

Belgium

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When the draw for the qualifying groups were made, many tipped Belgium to romp away as winners.

Yet, due to the presence of a Gareth Bale-inspired Wales and the likes of Cyprus, Israel and Bosnia all having picked up positive results, it is much closer than what originally been anticipated.

Belgium's 1-0 loss to Wales in June, which was their first qualifying defeat since a 3-1 reverse against Germany four years ago, has left them in second spot behind the Dragons. While the recent extension will see two nations automatically qualify for the main competition, Marc Wilmots has previously stressed the importance of his side finishing in top spot.

Looking ahead to this encounter, the Red Devils have a positive home record to fall back on as far as European qualifiers are concerned. Of their last 11 outings, they have been beaten on just one occasion.

With regards to the current campaign, Belgium are the highest scorers in Group B, having found the net 13 times in their six games.

What will have pleased Wilmots greatly is the fact that those goals have been shared around the team. Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini leads the way with three goals to his name, while Kevin De Bruyne and Dries Mertens have weighed in with two apiece. A host of players have scored once, including Eden Hazard and Christian Benteke.

Recent form: WDDWWL
Recent form (all competitions): WDWWWL

Bosnia

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Bosnia-Herzegovina have never featured at a European Championships and for that duck to be broken next year, they realistically need to avoid defeat in Belgium.

As it stands, the Bosnians are in fifth spot with eight points to their name, which is four adrift of their hosts.

While they still have a chance of securing qualification, the one regret is likely to be that Mehmed Bazdarevic was not appointed as the head coach sooner. The 54-year-old only took over the hotseat in December from Safet Susic, who had seen the team collect just two points from their opening four qualifiers.

There has been somewhat of a transformation since then, though, as Bosnia have won both of the competitive encounters that Bazdarevic has taken charge of, scoring six goals and conceding just one in the process.

Former Manchester City centre-forward Edin Dzeko has certainly flourished under Bazdarevic's guidance. The now-Roma frontman has scored four goals in those two games, including a hat-trick away in Andorra. He now has five goals altogether, which has seen him jump to the top of the Group B standings along with Isreal's Omer Damari and Welsh talisman Bale.

In terms of Bosnia's away form in European Championship qualifiers, Dzeko's exploits in Andorra helped them to secure their first victory on the road since 2011 - a run that dated back four winless outings.

Recent form: LDDLWW
Recent form (all competitions): DDLWDW

Team News

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The positive news for Belgium is that centre-back Vincent Kompany is available for selection after suspension kept him out of the meeting with Wales last time out.

He is expected to come into the side for Jason Denayer, while Wilmots also has a decision to make up front.

It is rare that Benteke and Romelu Lukaku feature in the same starting lineup, particularly with Wilmots known to favour a 4-5-1 formation. Benteke started against Wales and is reportedly likely to keep his place.

As for Bosnia, defender Damir Sadikovic will not feature because of suspension, but Roma duo Miralem Pjanic and Dzeko are both available and should start.

Meanwhile, the two goalkeepers - Belgium's Thibaut Courtois and Bosnia's Asmir Begovic - are club teammates at Chelsea.

Belgium possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Vertonghen, Kompany, Lombaerts, Alderweireld; Witsel, Nainggolan, Fellaini, De Bruyne, Hazard; Benteke

Bosnia possible starting lineup:
Begovic; Mujdza, Spahic, Vranjes, Kolasinac; Besic, Medunjanin, Lulic, Visca, Pjanic; Dzeko

Head To Head

When the two sides met earlier in the qualifying campaign in Zenica last October, the game ended in a 1-1 draw as Dzeko's opener was cancelled out by Belgium midfielder Radja Nainggolan.

That was the fifth game between the two countries, with Bosnia having won three of the previous four.

Their last meeting on Belgian soil came in 2009 when Dzeko was once again among the scorers in a 4-2 victory for the visitors.

We say: Belgium 2-1 Bosnia

There was nothing to split these teams when they faced each other last year and it would not be a surprise if this game was also to be close. However, home advantage may just work in Belgium's favour.

Written by
Liam Apicella

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