- Belgium have scored one goal and conceded one in their opening group match.
- Iran sit second in Group G with 1 point after a 2-2 draw with New Zealand in their first match.
- Belgium and Iran have never played each other before.
Belgium looking for a win
Belgium are third in Group G in the FIFA World Cup, picking up 1 point from their opening match, a 1-1 draw with Egypt, while Iran sit above them in second after picking up a point against New Zealand in their opener.
Belgium have won 3, drawn 2 and lost none of their last 5 matches in all competitions, and Rudi Garcia has got this Belgium team looking like a team that likes the ball and can keep it in both the 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 formations he is employing to great effect.
They won 2-0 away to Croatia and hammered Tunisia 5-0 at home in their last 3 games, and they have the ability to press high up the pitch and control the tempo of the game, and have an array of attacking options that will come at Iran on Sunday.
Dodi Lukebakio has been in scintillating form for his country, with 4 goals in his last 5 appearances for Belgium. He offers a pace and dynamism out wide that makes him a major threat, while Romelu Lukaku is ever present in the penalty area and was on the scoresheet in Belgium's first World Cup group match. It's never a dull game when Lukaku is on the pitch.
Iran will look to frustrate
Iran are a well-drilled unit, and Amir Ghalenoei has them set up with a compact 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 that they can play with in transition, and they can suffocate the ball.
Ghalenoei's team will soak up pressure and then try to break at pace on the break, using their discipline in zonal defence to frustrate their opponents and then creating a dangerous counter-attacking threat.
Mohammad Mohebi is their main goal threat, scoring in the group opener.
Ramin Rezaeian is the chief creative outlet for Iran and has an assist to his name in the group stage so far and 2 goals in his last 5 international appearances.
He is a goal threat from deep as well as a threat from set-pieces.
An end-to-end affair at Los Angeles Stadium
There is no history between these two teams, but with both having scored and conceded in their recent matches, it seems likely that both teams will find the net on Sunday in what should be an end-to-end match at Los Angeles, USA.
Belgium will have the majority of the ball and should control the match, but Iran will frustrate and then look to make their chances on the counterattack.
With Iran having scored 7 goals in their last 3 internationals, and Belgium having netted 5 and looked strong in attack in their 5-0 win over Tunisia, odds of 1.9 for Over 2.5 goals looks like a smart bet and Both Teams to Score - Yes looks just as likely at 2.06.
