2014 WORLD CUP SOCCER

BELGIUM

vs. ALGERIA

Line:
Belgium -263, Algeria +550, Tie +350
Over/Under: 2.5 Goals (Over +110, Under -140)

The final group opens play on Tuesday when Belgium and Algeria square off Tuesday in their Group H opener.

Here is the BetDSI Sportsbook team preview for Algeria:

After years of steadily intensifying hype, the moment is approaching for Belgium to be hurled in at the deep end of a World Cup and either float or drown. The fifth favorites for the trophy haven’t competed in the tournament for 12 years, but starting against Group H’s outsiders Algeria should assist their efforts to immediately acclimatize in Brazil.The Desert Foxes have won none of their past six World Cup encounters and failed to score a single goal in the 2010 edition despite finding themselves paired with USA, England and Slovenia – hardly the most daunting set of opponents.

Belgium’s roster is crammed with attacking talent like Eden Hazard, Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, yet they weren’t too prolific in qualifying, striking 18 times in 10 games. Just once in the whole process did they net more than two goals in a single match.Algeria’s difficulties in front of goal at the highest level combined with Belgium’s tendency to keep the score down suggest that the contest is likely to provide two goals or fewer.

At the last World Cup, 14 of the 16 opening group stage fixtures served up Under 2.5 goals, with Germany 4-0 over Australia and Brazil 2-1 versus North Korea the only exceptions. One other factor to be aware of is that Belgium always strives to operate on the front foot, scoring the first goal in nine of their 10 qualifiers and leading at halftime in six of the eight games that they won. The best wager to make for this game is the UNDER.