Belgium, England square off in Kaliningrad to determine Group G winners

Updated : June 28, 2018 04:01 PM IST

Belgium face England at Kaliningrad for top honours in Group G. Only separated by a yellow card, both teams want to win, while experimenting with their rosters.

Having both scored eight goals and conceding only two in their two games, the two sides will face their first real test in the World Cup.

Roberto Martinez would be pleased that the Belgian front three has lived up to expectations, with Hazard and Lukaku combining expertly.

De Bruyne too has been on song, providing assists from deep for Lukaku.

All three are likely to start on the bench, with Lukaku and Hazard carrying niggles, while De Bruyne will miss out to avoid suspension in the knockout stages.

Vertonghen and Meunier may also miss the game due to suspension trouble.

Martinez has an opportunity to try the likes of central midfielders, Tielemans and Moussa Dembele, winger, Thorgan Hazard, and striker Michy Batshuayi.

Defensive stalwarts, Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen may start to regain match fitness.

The Red Devils will look to fine tune kinks in midfield and test their bench strength.

On the contrary, Gareth Southgate will stick with a similar team to build on their impressive momentum. Harry Kane, Jesse Lingard and Trippier are especially impressive.

With a settled 3-1-4-2 formation, England haven't displayed familiar frailties in front of goal.

Lingard has been a revelation with his intelligent link up play, goals from midfield and positive thrust.

Trippier has take over set piece duties with aplomb, while Kane has been his instinctive best in front of goal.

Southgate might be tempted to rest both Trippier and Kane, giving a chance to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jamie Vardy.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek should retain his place as Dele Alli recovers from a thigh injury.

Other team news may include the introduction of Danny Rose in place of Ashley Young at left wing-back.

A victory in this match will establish England as genuine contenders.

Player to Watch

Belgium

Youri Tielemans: After a wonderful start to his career at Anderlecht, Tielemans faced his first trough in professional football, experiencing a subpar season at reigning champions Monaco.

A dynamic midfielder, effective in both ends of the pitch, Tielemans is capable of breaking attacks through tackles and interceptions, while capable of shooting or setting up teammates. A solid performance against England could go a long way to staking a place in the first team for Tielemans.

England

Danny Rose: Injury, contract issues and the emergence of Ben Davies meant that Rose lost his starting place in the England and Tottenham Hotspur team.

A mobile left back with wonderful delivery, on form, Danny Rose is an ideal prototype of the modern fullback. Against an attack of Mertens, Thorgan Hazard, Yannick Carrasco amongst others, Rose could re establish himself with a good showing.

Predicted Like

Belgium: 1-3-4-2-1

Courtois- Alderweireld, Kompany, Vermaelen- Boyata, Tielemans, Fellaini- Thorgan Hazard, Adnan Januzaj- Lukaku.

England: 1-3-1-4-2

Pickford- Jones, Stones, Cahill- Dier- Alexander-Arnold, Lingard, Loftus-Cheek- Vardy, Sterling.

Published : June 28, 2018 03:54 PM IST

Belgium, England square off in Kaliningrad to determine Group G winners

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