Belgium v England Tips: Shots a plenty predicted in Nations League showdown
Belgium host England in a Group 2 Nations League clash on Sunday night with everything very much still to play for. Belgium currently sit top on nine points with Denmark and England on seven separated by a single goal.
England have been anything but prolific scoring three goals in their four games, Belgium have 10. However, two of those goals for England did come in the reverse fixture here where they claimed a 2-1 win. The score does not really tell the full picture though as England were second best for large parts of the game.
Both sides will be missing several players, Harry Maguire and Reece James are both suspended whilst Marcus Rashford and Trent Alexander-Arnold are also out. Edin Hazard, who tested positive for COVID is the biggest name missing for Belgium.
The Red Devils are a force at home and were last beaten on home soil by Spain back in September 2016. This won’t be an easy game for either side but the onus must fall on England who need to make up the points.
I think Mason Mount gets the nod to start here ahead of Jack Grealish and Jadon Sancho to join Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling in a front three.
England can’t really afford to sit back here which should help our cause. Mount scored the winner in the reverse fixture and I have a feeling won us a bet by doing so!
Averaging a shot a game for country and 2.3 for Chelsea, I prefer to take a chance on him at odds against rather than a similar player at odds on.
Big Rom scores goals, whether that is at WBA, Everton, Man Utd or now at Inter.
Romelu Lukaku scored 12 goals in 13 games this season including 3 in 3 for Belgium in the Nations League. He will be the main focal point with the best provider out there, Kevin De Bruyne, looking for yet another assist. With an average of 3 shots per game we just need to hope he has his shooting boots on to land this one.
A chunky same game multi for the long shot with some obvious names featuring. Harry Kane to score, not much needs saying about this pick.
I have gone with Kevin De Bruyne for Belgium.
With no Edin Hazard there will be extra pressure on the Manchester City playmaker to help unlock the England defence. In what looks set to be a bit of a lightweight back line, he can easily find some space and make England pay for any mistakes.
The final part will be a booking for Alex Witsel. He is the only player to have featured for every minute in the Belgium squad and will be on defensive duties as normal with so many attacking players surrounding him. Averaging 1.5 fouls a game he looks a likely character for a card.
