Saturday World Cup Preview and Odds – Belgium vs. England

Third place Play-off

July 14, 2018 15:00pm – St. Petersburg Stadium

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Belgium: LWWWW

England: DWDLWW

World football’s highest profile dead rubber match will be played in Saint Petersburg on Saturday as Belgium and England meet with the World Cup bronze medal at stake.

No one talks about the great third-place playoff matches of the past, but after missing out on a place in Sunday’s final both teams must complete the formalities before heading home for the summer. Victory will mean little aside from allowing one team to end its campaign on a positive note.

Belgium were eliminated following a 1-0 defeat to France but despite the close scoreline, they always looked second best in the game. Having knocked out Brazil in the previous match, they felt they had a serious shot at the big prize but a forced switch to a back four due to the suspension of Thomas Meunier worked against them.

With Kevin de Bruyne occupying a deeper role, Roberto Martinez’s men lacked creativity and struggled to breach the French defence. Romelu Lukaku was isolated for much of the second half and never looked likely to add to his four-goal tally.

Having already beaten England in the group stage, the Red Devils will be keen to do the double over their rivals but a full-strength squad should not be expected.

England are also likely to make changes although Harry Kane could start as he continues his quest for the Golden Boot. The England striker has six goals to his name, two ahead of his closest rival, Romelu Lukaku, who is also expected to start.

Gareth Southgate’s men will look to pick themselves up after their devastating 2-1 defeat to Croatia. They took the lead in that game thanks to Kieran Trippier’s fifth minte free-kick had were just 20 minutes away from the final when Ivan Perisic equalised.

From that moment, the panic set in as their World Cup hopes hung in the balance. The game went to extra-time but Croatia had the momentum and once Mario Mandzukic gave them the leader, there looked like only one winner.

Belgium predicted starting XI:

Courtois, Alderweireld, Kompany, Vertonghen, Meunier, Chadli, Witsel, Fellaini, De Bruyne, Hazard, Lukaku.

England predicted starting XI:

Pickford, Jones, Stones, Maguire, Alexander-Arnold, Rose, Dier, Loftus-Cheek, Lingard, Rashford, Kane.

Prediction

Both teams will be tired and downbeat but with little left to lose, this game offers a chance to go home on a positive note.

England will be motivated to ensure Harry Kane wins the Golden Boot while Belgium will look to complete a tournament double over their rival. Expect both teams to score with Harry Kane netting anytime for England.

You can back Both Teams to Score at 10/21 and Harry Kane to score anytime at 10/11 with Betfair.