With 12 of nations already through to the last 16 stage of the FIFA World Cup, Thursday’s fixture between Belgium and England isn’t a matter of who will go through but more in which order. With two wins from two, both countries have cemented places in the next round.

STATS

• England have looked like one of the stronger sides at this year’s tournament and after a 2-1 win over Tunisia and a 6-1 thrashing against Panama, the joke that ‘football’s coming home’ is becoming a realistic one. A win would confirm top spot in Group G but many England fans would prefer their nation to finish 2^nd due to a potentially easier run to the final.
• Belgium have been flawless so far and also look like strong contenders to lift the famous trophy. An opening game 3-0 win against Panama was followed up by an entertaining 5-2 victory over Tunisia but due to their higher amount of yellow cards, the Belgians are currently second in the group behind their upcoming opponents.
• With five of England’s eight goals, Harry Kane is leading the race for the World Cup Golden Boot and looks to be oozing confidence on and off the field.
• Romelu Lukaku is hot on his heels in that race as the Manchester United striker has four goals, it may have been more had he not been substituted against Tunisia.

HEAD TO HEAD

England and Belgium are two nations that certainly aren’t new to each other on the footballing stage. It’s not a fixture that tends to favour Belgium as they haven’t beaten England since 1936 and have never beaten them at a World Cup. They have met twice at a World Cup, the first meeting ended 4-4 in 1954 and the second was won 1-0 by the English at Italia 90. The last fixture between the two came in June 2012 where Danny Welbeck’s goal was enough to secure a 1-0 win.

ENGLAND NEWS

After missing the game against Panama, Dele Alli seems to be fit again and ready to start against Belgium. He may feature in a team unrecognisable to the one from Sunday as wholesale changes won’t be a surprise.

Latest matches: England

24.06.2018	Worl	England	Panama	6:1	W
18.06.2018	Worl	Tunisia	England	1:2	W
07.06.2018	Inte	England	Costa Rica	2:0	W
02.06.2018	Inte	England	Nigeria	2:1	W
27.03.2018	Inte	England	Italy	1:1	D

BELGIUM NEWS

Belgium’s two star players so far, Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard, are both carrying minor injuries so aren’t expected to be risked against England while a host of other stars might miss out in order to gain some prolonged rest.

Latest matches: Belgium

23.06.2018	Worl	Belgium	Tunisia	5:2	W
18.06.2018	Worl	Belgium	Panama	3:0	W
11.06.2018	Inte	Belgium	Costa Rica	4:1	W
06.06.2018	Inte	Belgium	Egypt	3:0	W
02.06.2018	Inte	Belgium	Portugal	0:0	D

SUMMARY

With it seeming as though a 2^nd-place finish in Group G is more beneficial than finishing top, it could be a truly awful game of football with neither side wanting, or trying, to win. With yellow cards being the key factor as to which side will finish 1^st, expect to see plenty of bookings in a match where a draw is by far the most likely outcome.