Belgium – England Prediction & Picks (14.07.2018)

Belgium and England measure strength, in a match for this phase of the World Cup (3rd Place Final). There is only record of 1 recent direct match between these two teams, on 06-28-2018, which ended with the victory of Belgium by (0-1).

Belgium:

The team reaches this phase of the World Cup (3rd Place Final) after having played previous qualifiers with: France, Brazil and Japan. Belgium won 5 and lost 1 of its last 6 matches for the World Cup. Their attack has scored regularly, since they have scored goals in 5 of the last 6 matches for this competition. In their matches there is a tendency for goals, since 18 of the last 26 matches have ended with Over 2,5 goals.

The Belgian team comes to this unmotivated match, having lost to France, 1-0, adding the first snub in this competition. It is important to remember that the Belgians made a good World Cup, by eliminating, for example, Brazil in the quarterfinals of this competition. In this game against England, coach Roberto Martinez will have to enter the field at 3-4-2-1, favoring a low block and fast transitions for the attack, mainly through the left flank: Hazard is a very fast player in the counter attack. We highlight the importance of Kevin De Bruyne in the tactical scheme of the Belgian team, being this phenomenal player in the offensive process. On the other hand, Lukaku is the best marker of this selection, with 4 goals scored. There are no absences of weight for this game.

England:

Until reaching this phase of the World Cup (3rd Place Final), the team eliminated: Croatia, Sweden and Colombia. In the last 6 matches they played for the World Cup, England won 4 and lost 2.

For this competition, they have not lost any of the last 4 away matches. The team has conceded goals in 5 of the last 6 matches, so it has not presented great defensive solidity, but their offense has scored consistently, as they have scored goals in 5 of the last 6 matches for this competition. In the last 20 matches for all competitions there is 1 period that stands out: they have suffered 6 of their 14 goals between minutes (76′-90 ‘).

England leaves for this match after having lost in extra time against Croatia, 2-1, after a 1-1 draw at the end of the 90 ‘.Trippier scored the only goal of the team. By having a template with more technical and tactical quality, it is expected that coach Gareth Southgate privileges the maintenance of ball possession and organized attacks, especially on the flanks: Lingard is the great organizer of the offensive process. In addition, the Manchester United midfielder exhibits enormous technical and finishing quality. Harry Kane is the best scorer in England and in this World Cup, with 6 goals scored. All players will be available for this game.