World Cup Preview: England v Belgium

England face Belgium at the Kaliningrad Stadium in their final game of Group G. With both teams having already sealed their place in the knockout rounds, this game will decide who tops the group. Here is your England v Belgium preview.

England v Belgium: Battle for Group G

However, a game that promised so much with England’s exciting young lions facing Belgium’s golden generation is fraught with many unknowns. Surprise results in other groups means that runner-up in Group G could theoretically get an easier run to the final. Potentially dodging Brazil and reigning World Champions Germany.

We could well see a plethora of changes to the teams that have been so successful so far this summer. Both sides will consider resting key players knowing that they are already through. Both teams have offered up early contenders for the golden boot in Romelu Lukaku and Harry Kane. The pair may be forced to accept that the team goal comes first on this occasion.

England Want To Win

Despite conceding that there may be changes to his squad, Gareth Southgate did rule out playing for second place.

“For our country, that would be a very difficult mindset to have,” Southgate said. “We want to win every game of football we go into. I don’t know how we would go into a game not wanting to win and play well, so I think that’s dangerous territory if we start trying to plot and predict where we might end up.”

“We just have to keep playing as well as we can, keep preparing the team the right way, keep the momentum and I have to keep the squad involved. That’s the one thing I think is really important.”

Southgate will also hope that lessons were learned from Euro 2016. England should not be looking any further than their first knockout tie, no matter the opponent. “We had a really favourable draw, we all thought, in the last tournament and it didn’t work out that way,” Southgate said.

Major Changes For Belgium

Belgium coach Roberto Martinez has already stated he will make “major changes” for the game. Belgium’s record goalscorer Romelu Lukaku could be one of the players left out of the team. Lukaku took his tally to 40 goals in 71 caps with a double against Tunisia on Saturday. However, Lukaku was amongst a handful of players to have picked up a knock in the game.

Chelsea forward Eden Hazard is also believed to be nursing a slight injury. Belgium’s stand-in captain has been equally impressive from his number 10 role. Hazard also scored twice against Tunisia and has been involved in 23 goals in his last 21 appearances for Belgium.

Hazard was taken off against the Tunisians with a slight knock and may be one of the regular starters to miss out against England.

First Big Test

Both England and Belgium came into this World Cup in fine form, and have continued it into the tournament proper. But despite comfortably dispatching their first two opponents, each side are yet to be tested by strong opposition.

This game will be the first time each side will really get a feel for how far they are capable of going. And that will make for a fascinating encounter, whatever the strength of the starting lineups.