Football Results

In the first two rounds everything developed as expected, so now Belgium and England will play a duel for the first place in the group, while they already secured the round of sixteen, and what is interesting is that these two teams have the same a goal difference of eight goals scored and two goals received. The overall impression is, however, on the side of Belgium, which has resolved both matches in their favour in a convincing and dominant way, while the English have struggled in the first round against Tunisia and were lucky to win all three points. The last mutual duel between these two teams was played in 2012, when England celebrated with 1-0 in a friendly match in London.

England

England did what was needed in the first two rounds, but in different ways. It was known that Tunisia would be an unpleasant rival, and that is what they were, so England managed to celebrate only after a goal in the finish of the match, and their game was only occasionally good, more in the first than in the second half. However, they scored points and brought about the necessary peace which was immediately felt in their duel with Panama, which they defeated routinely in a way that they imposed their own rhythm from the first minute, took the lead early and by halftime the opponent’s et was already filled with goals. They have intentionally slowed their pace a little bit in the second half because there was no need to continue to play at full strength, so they received one goal just like in the first duel with Tunisia.

Striker Kane has continued his series and he has shaken Panama’s network three times, although twice from white spot, and the third goal was scored completely accidentally. Compared to their duel against Tunisia, Delle Alli was absent due to injury, so Loftus-Cheek jumped in instead, while everything else was the same. When everything was resolved, coach Southgate took Kane out from the game, as well as Lingard and Tripple. They have scored eight goals and it seemed quite powerful, however, their rivals were objectively much weaker and only this duel could show how much the English are really good, and it is quite possible that they will play with a fairly modified composition in order to rest their best players.

Probable lineups England: Pickford – Jones, Stones, Cahill – Alexander-Arnold, Loftus-Cheek, Dier, Delph, Rose – Vardy, H.Kane

Belgium

Belgium has routinely celebrated in the first two rounds and made expected wins, with the enviable efficiency that usually follows this team, because they were scoring goals with ease in the qualifiers. However, the match against Panama and Tunisia cannot be a measure of the true strength and form of Belgium, which wants to do great things on this World Cup. Anything other than a safe win would be a real sensation anyway, and they did not allow themselves that, though they struggled a little bit with Panama in the first half. Things were completely different against Tunisia, and they rushed from the very beginning in the attack, which brought them two quick goals, while their defence was not the best.

E.Hazard and R.Lukaku have dominated in both matches, who are really playing great, while de Bruyne has not showed much as the third big star. Coach Martinez has used a good result against Tunisia, so he has pulled out Hazard and Lukaku earlier from the game, and now they could even spend the entire game on the bench, although it would be a shame for Lukaku, who is in the game for the best shooter. Because of the danger of getting another yellow card, Meunier, Vertonghen and Bruyne could take a breather in this match, but these are all assumptions, since they may not want a defeat to spoil the good atmosphere. Kompany and Vermaelen are returning to the team and maybe even Martinez decides to change the entire team, except for the goalkeeper Courtois.

Probable lineups Belgium: Courtois – Alderweireld, Kompany, Vermaelen – Fellaini, Dembele – Januzaj, Chadli, Tielemans, T.Hazard – Batshuayi

Verdict:

Both selections have secured the round of sixteen and it seems that it is not too important whether they will be first or second, at least if it is judged by the changes that are announced on both sides. It could then mean that less attention will be paid to their defences and that they will try to score more goals.

Pick: both teams to score 1.84 - 84/100 @1XBet