Oddschecker gives Lukaku the highest anytime probability of any player in this match at 40.20% — a remarkably high figure that reflects Belgium's reliance on their all-time top scorer as the focal point of the attack. He tops ESPN's first goalscorer board at +340.

Covers map out Belgium's attacking system clearly: "De Bruyne's ability to dictate the tempo and thread the ball between lines will be key. Both Leandro Trossard and Jeremy Doku can then attack the central players and either shoot or square the ball to Lukaku." Belgium have scored 20 goals in their past five internationals — and Lukaku, as the focal point receiving deliveries from Doku, Trossard and De Bruyne, is the natural end point of their best attacking patterns. At +340 first scorer (+115 anytime) for a player Oddschecker models as a 40.20% anytime scorer, this is the clearest structural bet on the board. Just check the starting XI first.

Fox Sports make the case simply and effectively: "Mohamed Salah is +285 to score in Egypt's opening World Cup match against Belgium. Mo Salah turns 35 years old on matchday, making it hard to pick against him." CBS Sports add the deeper narrative: "In what could be his last World Cup, Salah steps back into the spotlight, closing in on one of the biggest milestones in Egyptian soccer. He's just two goals behind the national scoring record."

The tactical context makes +800 first scorer genuinely appealing. CBS confirm that Egypt under Hossam Hassan operate "disciplined and compact depending on their opponent, all designed to release attackers into dangerous spaces — enter team captain Mohamed Salah." Squawka note Egypt "fancy their chances of springing a surprise" given the winnable group context. Salah's World Cup record — scoring decisive goals in high-pressure international environments — is unmatched. Belgium's defence "can have lapses on the back end" per CBS. When Salah exploits one of those lapses to score, he wins +800 on the first goal and +285 on the anytime ticket simultaneously. Best Egypt value on the board.

Racing Post are explicit: "De Ketelaere is set to start ahead of Romelu Lukaku in the centre-forward position. Despite the individual quality of Salah and Marmoush, Egypt are a low-scoring side and they could be kept out in their opening game." If De Ketelaere does start as Belgium's #9, then +650 first scorer (+255 anytime) is the single best value pick on the entire board — Oddschecker gives him a 33.34% anytime probability (second only to Lukaku) for a player who would be physically positioned closest to goal in every Belgian attack. He is a prolific scorer for Atalanta, combining technical creativity with a genuine goal-scoring instinct developed in Serie A. The risk is that he doesn't start — but if he does, this is the pick of the card.

Trossard is the no-injury-concerns, no-lineup-uncertainty pick. Racing Post explicitly name him "one of the main goal threats for Rudi Garcia's side" and back him for shots on target. Covers explain the tactical structure: De Bruyne threads passes "into the gaps in the channels between the full-backs and the back three. Both Leandro Trossard and Jeremy Doku can then attack the central players and either shoot or square the ball." As Arsenal's Premier League-winning left winger who cuts inside to shoot — a confirmed starter regardless of the Lukaku vs De Ketelaere debate — Trossard at +700 first scorer represents a genuine value play on one of the two Belgium wide attackers both experts identify as scoring threats.

Oddschecker 40.20% probability — highest of any player. ESPN board #1. Covers: Doku and Trossard "square to Lukaku." Belgium's all-time top scorer. Belgium scored 20 goals in their last 5 internationals. Check starting XI first — if De Ketelaere starts instead, switch to him at +650.