New Zealand v Belgium: Elijah Just seeks breakthrough in tight Group clash

New Zealand face Belgium on 27 June at 03:00 (GMT) in a group-stage meeting that could prove decisive in a tightly poised section, with both sides searching for a first win after stuttering recent form.

New Zealand come into the match on the back of a DL sequence in their last two fixtures, reflecting a team that has struggled for consistency in both penalty-box areas. Belgium arrive with a DD record from their last two outings, underlining solidity but also pointing to attacking frustrations that have left them short of maximum points.

The key statistics of the players of both teams this season:

• Assists: Chris Wood (New Zealand) — 2 assists, (Belgium) — 0 assists.
• Goalkeepers saves: Max Crocombe (New Zealand) — 2, Thibaut Courtois (Belgium) — 2
• Tackles: None (New Zealand) — None, None (Belgium) — None.
• Most encounters won: Joe Bell (New Zealand) — 6, Charles De Ketelaere (Belgium) — 9.
• Yellow cards: None (New Zealand) — None, None (Belgium) — None.
• Red cards: None (New Zealand) — None, None (Belgium) — None.

Top 5 scorers this season:

1. L. Messi (5, Argentina)
2. Kylian Mbappé (4, France)
3. E. Haaland (4, Norway)
4. D. Undav (3, Germany)
5. J. David (3, Canada)

Team statistics:

The table scenario places added weight on this contest within the league-style group system. New Zealand sit in the lower half after a return of just one point from their last two matches, while Belgium are slightly better off but remain under pressure, having failed to convert their unbeaten run into wins. Both teams know that victory would significantly improve their prospects of progressing from the group, while another draw would tighten the race and leave qualification depending on results elsewhere.

The five previous matches played by the teams:

• New Zealand — DL
• Belgium — DD

New Zealand’s home campaign has produced mixed outcomes. They have yet to register a home win this season, recording 0 victories, 1 draw and 1 defeat in front of their own supporters. Their heaviest home loss so far stands at 1-3, a scoreline that exposed defensive frailties when facing teams capable of sustained pressure. Away from home, New Zealand have not recorded a biggest away win this season, with their results underlining how difficult they have found it to impose themselves on opponents in unfamiliar conditions.

According to home statistics this season, New Zealand scores more goals and concedes more in the following intervals:

Intervals	Goal Scored, %	Goals conceded, %
0-15	66.67%	20.00%
16-30	33.33%	20.00%
31-45		40.00%
46-60		20.00%
61-75
76-90
91-105

Belgium has the following time frames of scoring and conceding goals:

Intervals	Goal Scored, %	Goals conceded, %
0-15		50.00%
16-30		50.00%
31-45
46-60
61-75
76-90
91-105

Head-to-head stats:

Teams	Games	Win		Draws		Losses
		H	A	H	A	H	A
New Zealand	1	0	0	0	1	0	0
Belgium		0	0	1	0	0	0

Probabilities before the match:

New Zealand		Belgium
43.8%	Winning the game	43.8%
75%	Attack potential	75%
17%	Potential in defense	17%
50%	Strength against each other	50%
0%	Goal Potential	0%

Summary: the probability of Belgium winning – 45%, draw – 45%, loss – 10%. Thus New Zealand, most likely, loss (loss or draw)

Goal Forecast:New Zealand, is likely to score -2.5 goals, Belgium is likely to score no more than -1.5.

The bookmaker odds for this match:

Home win	Draw	Away win
Unibet 16.0	1xBet 8.0	Betano 1.17

Save the date

The match between the teams New Zealand and Belgium will take place on June 27 at 03:00 (GMT) at the stadium BC Place.