Belgium will be hopeful of booking their place in the last 16 of the World Cup when they take on Tunisia in Moscow on Saturday.
Roberto Martinez’s side got off to a winning start in Group G by beating tournament debutants Panama 3-0 and they could potentially go through to the knockout stage with a win.
Tunisia, on the other hand, suffered a deflating last-minute loss against England in the other Group G opener, as Harry Kane struck in the dying moments of the game to break the hearts of the Eagles of Carthage.
A loss against the Belgians in their second game could well extinguish their chances of staying in the competition, since their fate would be taken out of their own hands. Time : 1PM/BST.
Overview
The first 45 minutes of Belgium’s opening game with Panama was certainly not easy on the eye. A ponderous, disjointed display against the World Cup debutants saw Romelu Lukaku touch the ball just seven times in the first half.
Captain Eden Hazard let rip at his team-mates during the break, with Lukaku firmly in his sights.
“It’s not easy playing with a man missing,” said Hazard of the Manchester United striker. “At half-time, I told him we needed him. He’d been hiding out a bit up front. But once he got in there, involved in the game, like magic, he scored two. I hope he understands that now.”
The constructive criticism had the desired effect and Belgium are now targeting a victory that will see them secure their place in the last 16 if England avoid defeat to Panama.
Tunisia, meanwhile, will be eliminated with a game still to go if they are defeated and England don’t lose.
Head-To-Head
- This will be the fourth meeting between Belgium and Tunisia, with both nations winning one game and sharing one draw.
- Belgium’s Dries Mertens scored the only goal the last time the two sides met in a friendly in 2014.
- This is their second meeting at a World Cup – they previously drew 1-1 in the 2002 group stage.
Belgium
- Belgium are unbeaten in their last 10 World Cup group games and have won the previous five.
- They have made it past the opening group stage in six of their last seven World Cup appearances, with the only exception coming in 1998.
- They haven’t lost their second group stage game at any of their last seven World Cups.
- Each of Belgium’s last 11 World Cup goals have come after half-time.
- Only Jan Ceulemans (six) has scored more goals in major tournaments for Belgium than Romelu Lukaku (five, level with Marc Wilmots).
- Lukaku has scored 15 goals in his last 10 internationals.
Tunisia
- Tunisia have failed to win their last 12 World Cup games since winning their first-ever match against Mexico in 1978. It was the first match won by an African side at the World Cup.
- The last team to have a longer winless run in the World Cup was South Korea (14 games between 1954 and 1998).
- They have scored with their only shot on target so far at this World Cup, which was a penalty.
- They are in a first World Cup since 2006, but have yet to reach the knockout stage in four previous attempts.
- Tunisia have only kept one clean sheet in 13 World Cup games, 0-0 with West Germany in 1978.
Team Comparison & History
Prediction
Belgium 1-0 Tunisia. Belgium had to wait to make the breakthrough against Panama but they ended up comfortable winners, and I can see this game being a similar story.They did not play brilliantly on Monday, but the quality of the first two goals Belgium scored showed the class they have in their team – and that will make the difference against Tunisia too.
Predicted starting line-ups
Belgium XI: Courtois, Alderweireld, Boyata, Vertonghen, Meunier, De Bruyne, Witsel, Carrasco, Mertens, Eden Hazard, Lukaku
Tunisia XI: Tunisia: ben Mustapha, Meriah, Syam Ben Youssef, Bronn, Maaloul, Skhiri, Badri, Sassi, Fakhreddine Ben Youssef, Khazri, Sliti
Predicted Line-up
Belgium’s Predicted Line-up vs Tunisia
Tunisia’s predicted lineup vs Belgium
