World Cup play-off: Belgium vs. England team news, predictions, odds, TV channel
Can Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions leave Russia on a high?
Belgium vs. England
- When: Saturday 14 July
- Kick-off time: 3pm (UK time)
- Where: Saint Petersburg Stadium, St Petersburg
- TV channel: live on ITV
Both England and Belgium are still hurting after their defeats in the World Cup semi-finals but now the two nations have to battle it out for third place at the Saint Petersburg Stadium on Saturday.
England lost 2-1 to Croatia after extra-time on Wednesday but head coach Gareth Southgate hopes his side can end their Russian adventure on a high.
“The honest thing is it’s not a game any team wants to play in,” said Southgate about the third-place play-off. “[But] we will want to give a performance of huge pride. There’s no question about that. It’s always there every time we wear the shirt of our national team, we want to play with pride, we want to play well and win.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“Of course it is going to be a really difficult task over the next 24 hours to assess everybody and to get everybody mentally back to where we want them for a game like that. But that will be the challenge.
“We’ll make sure we are ready as a group to go again because the group have huge pride in their performances, in the way that they work. And we have made such strides with our supporters and our public that we want to continue to do that.”
Team news
Southgate is expected to make a number of changes and give some game-time to his Three Lions squad players. Kieran Trippier is a major injury doubt after limping off against Croatia.
Belgium boss Roberto Martinez will also have to decide if he wants to rotate his squad or go with the majority of the same team that lost 1-0 to France in the semi-final. Full-back Thomas Meunier is available after his one-match suspension.
Belgium vs. England predicted starting XIs
How the teams could line up at the Saint Petersburg Stadium, according to the London Evening Standard:
- England: Butland; Jones, Cahill, Maguire; Alexander-Arnold, Dier, Loftus-Cheek, Rose; Dele, Lingard; Vardy
- Belgium: Courtois; Alderweireld, Kompany, Boyata; Meunier, Fellaini, Witsel, Chadli, De Bruyne; T Hazard, Batshuayi
Belgium vs. England predictions
The Daily Telegraph: “With each team in the emotional doldrums, much will depend on selection. Belgium were unbeaten throughout the tournament until losing by a single goal to France, so the smart money will follow them. Prediction: Belgium 3 England 1.”
Sports Mole: “There are likely to be changes galore, as was the case in the group stages, and the winners may well be determined by which side has recovered from the disappointment of their semi-final defeat the quickest. Belgium have had an extra day of rest and also boast the greater strength in depth, so we’re backing them to come out on top. Belgium 2-1 England.”
Belgium vs. England betting odds
Latest prices according to Oddschecker (as of 13 July).
- Belgium to win: 6/5
- Draw: 14/5
- England to win: 11/5
First goalscorer
- Harry Kane (England): 4/1
- Romelu Lukaku (Belgium): 17/4
- Michy Batshuayi (Belgium): 11/2
- Eden Hazard (Belgium): 7/1
- Jamie Vardy (England): 15/2
- Marcus Rashford (England): 9/1
- Dries Mertens (Belgium): 9/1
Correct score
- Draw 1-1: 7/1
- Belgium 2-1: 17/2
- Belgium 1-0: 21/2
- England 2-1: 12/1
- Draw 2-2: 12/1
- Belgium 2-0: 13/1
- England 1-0: 14/1
- Draw 0-0: 16/1
- Belgium 3-1: 16/1
- England 2-0: 20/1
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
What is cloud seeding and did it cause Dubai's severe rainfall?
The Explainer The future is flooded
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
American Airlines pilots are warning of a 'significant spike' in safety issues
In the Spotlight The pilot's union listed 'problematic trends' they say are affecting the airline's fleet
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
6 star-spangled presidential libraries to visit
The Week Recommends These institutions provide insight into American leaders
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The England kit: a furore over the flag
Why everyone's talking about Nike's redesign of the St George's Cross on the collar of the English national team's shirt has caused controversy
By The Week UK Published
-
Lionesses will have regrets but their legacy can be ‘incredible’
feature England stars return home after heartbreaking Women’s World Cup final loss to Spain
By Mike Starling Published
-
How English women’s football could become a billion pound industry
feature Building on the success of the Lionesses won’t be easy but it is eminently possible
By The Week Staff Published
-
Lionesses dig deep after Lauren James’s ‘Beckham-esque’ red card
feature England reach the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals after a 4-2 win on penalties against Nigeria
By Mike Starling Published
-
Curse of the Lionesses: what’s causing spate of England women’s football injuries?
Under the Radar Several key players are out of the World Cup, raising concerns about hectic schedules, sub-par pitches and sexism
By Harriet Marsden Published
-
‘Captain fantastic’: Harry Kane’s most memorable England goals
feature Kane has overtaken Wayne Rooney as the Three Lions’s all-time leading goalscorer
By Mike Starling Published
-
A World Cup of missed opportunities for England, Southgate and Kane
feature Three Lions boss Southgate will take time to consider his future after defeat to France
By Mike Starling Published
-
World Cup quarter-final: England vs. France prediction, preview and team news
feature Three Lions are ready for the ‘fantastic challenge’ of facing the reigning champions
By Mike Starling Published