July 13 2018

Christian Benteke

Christian Benteke wants to make up for the disappointment of missing out on the World Cup by firing Crystal Palace to glory.

The Belgian international striker was dropped by manager Roberto Martinez for the summer's competition in Russia after a below-par campaign with Palace.

Benteke got his pre-season preparations underway with a 30-minute run-out in Palace's summer opener against Danish outfit FC Helsingor on Thursday night.

And he is determined to improve on the three goals he produced in the Premier League last term by working hard before August's big kick-off.

"The first [Belgium] game was tough because if I had a good season I was going to be there," he told Palace TV. "Then after that, it was a motivation because now it’s up to me if I score goals then I will be there.

"This year I am really looking forward to this season because I have prepared myself to be good and to really, be me. I have got myself ready physically and mentally.

“I am getting ready to adapt my type of play with how the manager wants us to play. If we do it well then, we can be a big threat, we showed that last season."

Now Belgium are out, who's going to win the World Cup? See the latest odds at LaBa360.