Ace Football previews the Nations League match between England and Belgium, and offers the latest betting tips, odds, line-ups, and team news.
Group A2 in the Nations League kicks off on Sunday evening between England and leaders Belgium. Two points are all that separate them for the one and only qualification spot into the finals as we enter the halfway stage.
England, in particular, will be eager to collect victory after dropping points away at Denmark last time out. They couldn’t break the Danish defense and had to settle for a goalless stalemate. Anything less than three points, therefore, would be a disappointment even if it’s against FIFA’s No 1-ranked side.
Belgium, meanwhile, comfortably won both their opening games and hope to reach the finals at the second attempt. The visitors will head to Wembley in a confident mood, having won their previous two encounters with the Three Lions.
England Form & Stats
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Conor Coady, and Danny Ings were all on target as England kicked-off preparations for their showdown with Belgium by thrashing Wales 3-0 on Thursday night.
The performance would’ve given Gareth Southgate a selection headache for Sunday, with some fresh faces in the squad delivering. The question is who will stay in the line-up for Belgium? The England boss intends to make rotations for this international triple-header and will probably save his strongest XI for the weekend.
Jadon Sancho and Tammy Abraham, meanwhile, will return to the fold after being dropped for breaching COVID-19 protocols.
Southgate knows he cannot afford to be lenient in what is essentially a must-win match. While England will be expected to beat Denmark at home on Wednesday, a tricky trip to Belgium will await afterward on November 15.
Key Team Stats
- Lost just one of their last 18 games in all competitions.
- Not conceded a goal in their last six games in all competitions.
- Over 2.5 goals scored in their last five games in all competitions.
Belgium Form & Stats
Roberto Martinez’s side sit top of Group A2 with maximum points following victories over Denmark and Iceland. Visiting Wembley will undoubtedly be their toughest fixture, though. They have also never won in England during their previous nine visits.
Thursday’s 1-1 home draw against the Ivory Coast brought an end to Belgium’s 12-match winning run. To be fair, though, Martinez fielded a very different line-up to his normal one. But he is without some key players all the same, including Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois. While Dries Mertens is also out after his Napoli team entered quarantine last weekend.
Nevertheless, the Red Devils will be determined to grab at least a point at Wembley. Doing so will put them in a perhaps stronger position to reach the finals after missing out in 2018/19 through an inferior goal difference to Switzerland.
Key Team Stats
- Won their last two games against England in the 2018 World Cup.
- 12 wins in their last 13 games in all competitions.
- Over 2.5 goals scored in their last five away games in all competitions.
- BBTS in four of their last five games in all competitions.
Team News
England: Raheem Sterling (injured); Ben Chilwell & Harry Kane (doubts).
Belgium: Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois, Dries Mertens, Nacer Chadli, Koen Casteels, & Hendrik van Crombrugge (all out);
Predicted Line-ups
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)
Head-To-Head Form
Match Facts
Betting Tips
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