Belgium go into the World Cup with great expectations on their shoulders. This is their golden generation with an array of talented superstars from Champions League finalist Thibaut Courtois to Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku and almost everywhere in between- except at full back. The Red Devils however, have to play as a team of talented players rather than a team that contains talented individuals. The European side made light work of qualification, going unbeaten in ten matches and finishing an astonishing nine points ahead of Croatia. Having missed out on both the 2006 and 2010 World Cup tournaments, Belgium would hope to at least replicate the form of their 1986 side which reached the semi finals in Mexico.

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Algeria, meanwhile, have never advanced past the group stage of the FIFA World Cup and have managed to qualify only twice since 1986. Les Fennecs come into the match on the back of three wins in their pre-World Cup friendly matches against Slovenia, Armenia and Romania. In fact, Vahid Halihodzic’s side have won all but one of their last 5 matches.

TEAM NEWS

Belgium head coach Marc Wilmots is not expected to spring any surprises with his starting eleven. The back line will consist of four centre backs with skipper Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen in the middle of defense with Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld either side of them. In midfield, Wilmots will have to decide whether to pair Moussa Dembele or Marouane Fellaini- who endured a torrid season at Manchester United- with Zenit St Petersburg star Axel Witsel. There were fears about Romelu Lukaku’s fitness but the 21-year is expected to start in spite of an ankle knock sustained in the 1-0 friendly win against Tunisia.

Algeria, meanwhile, have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the match. CSKA goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi will start in goal and Tottenham Hotspurs youngster Nabil Bentaleb could start in midfield in place of Granada’s attacking midfielder Yacine Brahimi if Vahid Halihodzic decides to play 4-3-3.

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Possible Line ups

Belgium (4-2-3-1) : Courtois; Vertonghen, Vermaelen, Kompany, Alderweireld; Witsel, Fellaini;

Hazard, De Bruyne, Mirallas; Lukaku

Algeria (4-3-3) : M’Bolhi; Mostefa, Bougherra, Cadamuro, Ghoulam; Yebda, Taider, Bentaleb;

Soudani, Djabou, Feghouli

KEY BATTLE

In the absence of proper wing backs to carry the ball forward, the Belgian team will play through the middle and the onus will fall on Wolfsburg midfielder Kevin De Bruyne to supply Eden Hazard, Kevin Mirallas and lone striker Romelu Lukaku with accurate forward passes. Hassan Yebda is likely to be Algeria’s deepest midfielder and will look to disrupt Belgium’s free flowing play by stopping De Bruyne.

ONE TO WATCH

It is way too difficult to choose ‘one’ to watch in this match. Belgium’s attackers are young, fast and exciting and will look to entertain. Algeria also have quite a few exciting players of their own and this will be a highly entertaining match.

PREDICTION

The Belgian team is good, very good but Algeria could cause an upset if the Red Devils get

complacent. That said, I think Belgium will win this one.

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