Both Belarus and Israel will be bidding to record their first victories in Group I when they continue their Euro 2024 qualification campaigns with a contest on Friday night.

Belarus are currently bottom of the section on zero points from their first two games, while Israel are just ahead in fifth, having picked up one point from their opening two matches.

Match preview

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Belarus have never qualified for the finals of a major tournament, and they were disappointing during qualification for Euro 2020, only managing to pick up four points from their nine matches.

It is a big ask for Georgy Kondratyev's side to claim a top-two finish in Group I, especially considering that they have got off to the worst possible start, losing their opening two matches in the section.

Belarus were thumped 5-0 by Switzerland at home on March 25 before suffering a 2-1 loss away to Romania three days later, which has left them at the foot of the group on zero points.

Kondratyev's side were last victorious in November 2022, recording a 1-0 win over Syria in a friendly, but they have not managed to triumph in a competitive fixture since a World Cup qualifier against Estonia in March 2021.

Belarus have won two of their last three internationals against Israel, though, including a 2-1 success when the two nations last met in a friendly back in November 2012.

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Israel, meanwhile, opened their section with a 1-1 draw against Kosovo on March 25, but they suffered a 3-0 defeat to Switzerland three days later, which has left them fifth in the group.

The Blue and Whites have only ever qualified for the finals of a major tournament on one occasion, which proved to be the 1970 World Cup, where they were knocked out in the group stage.

Israel actually reached the playoffs in qualification for Euro 2020, but they were beaten by Scotland in the semi-finals, with their wait to qualify for the finals of a European Championship continuing.

Alon Hazan's side will know the importance of this match when it comes to the section, and a win on Friday would lead them nicely into their next game at home to Andorra on June 19.

Israel's last competitive victory proved to be a 2-1 success over Albania in the UEFA Nations League last September, and they have only won one of their last five games in all competitions.

Team News

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There are no major absentees from the Belarus squad, so head coach Kondratyev could select close to the same XI that took to the field for the first whistle against Romania last time out.

Max Ebong played further forward in the team's last match and that is again expected to be the case here, while Ivan Bakhar should also feature in an advanced position.

Pavel Savitsky is the leading goalscorer in the squad with seven, and the 28-year-old should also start for Belarus, with Aleksandr Selyava also keeping his spot in central midfield.

Israel, meanwhile, are without the services of Doron Leidner, which could open the door for Oscar Gloukh to make just his fourth appearance for the national side.

Mahmoud Jaber is also missing, so there will have to be at least one change in the final third of the field from the team's last game against Switzerland, with Shon Weissman set to come in.

Manor Solomon, who scored four Premier League goals for Fulham during the 2022-23 campaign, will also feature in an attacking position, while Tai Baribo should also retain his spot.

Belarus possible starting lineup:
Plotnikov; Bykov, Volkov, Khadarkevich, Malkevich; Kovalev, Selyava, Yablonskiy, Bakhar; Ebong, Savitsky

Israel possible starting lineup:
Glazer; Dasa, Vitor, Shlomo, Gloukh; Haziza, Peretz, Lavi, Solomon; Baribo, Weissman

We say: Belarus 1-1 Israel

This is a huge game for both sides at this stage of the group, and we are expecting a tight match on Friday evening. A case can be made for either to win it, but we are ultimately backing a low-scoring draw.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Matt Law

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