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Sports Mole anticipates Sunday’s UEFA Nations League clash between England and Belgium, including team news and planned line-ups.
England will seek to return to the winning path in the UEFA Nations League when they continue their 2020-21 campaign at home to Belgium On Sunday afternoon.
The Three Lions are currently second in Group 2 of League A, racking up four points in their two matches so far, while Belgium is at the top of the section with six points to show in their two matches.
Match preview
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England prepared for Sunday’s game by beating Wales 3-0 on Thursday night, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Conor Coady Y Danny Ings all scoring their first goals with the national team.
It was certainly a valuable exercise against Ryan giggson the side, and several players will have given the head coach Gareth southgate Food for thought in terms of team selection in the future.
The Three Lions opened their 2020-21 UEFA Nations League challenge with a 1-0 win over Iceland on 5 September, but were limited to a goalless draw against Denmark three days later.
Southgate’s team now face Belgium and Denmark in back-to-back home matches in competition before possibly their most difficult group match outside of Belgium on November 15.
England finished third in the 2018-19 UEFA Nations League, winning a group that contained Spain and Croatia before losing to the Netherlands in the semi-finals of the competition.
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Belgium, for their part, opened their Group 2 campaign with a 2-0 win over Denmark on September 5 before recording a 5-1 home win over Iceland three days later.
Roberto MartinezThe team is therefore two points ahead of second-place England at the top of the section and will be looking to achieve three wins in a row before their next game in Iceland.
The Red Devils were unlucky enough to miss out on a spot in the 2018-19 UEFA Nations League semi-finals, as they won three of their four group matches against Switzerland and Iceland.
However, a 5-2 loss to Switzerland in their last group stage match meant they did not advance, and this time they will be eager to make a big impression.
Belgium saw a 12-win streak come to an end on Thursday when they drew 1-1 with Côte d’Ivoire, though it was an experimental XI for Martinez at Stade Roi Baudouin.
England League of Nations form: WWLWWD
England form (all competitions): WWWWDW
Belgium League of Nations Form: WWWLWW
Belgium form (all competitions): WWWWWD
Team news
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England’s XI will look very different to the one that started against Wales, with potentially just two players: Joe gomez Y Kieran trippier – keeping your spots on the side.
Jordan pickford is set to return between the sticks, while Harry maguire, Eric Dier Y Trent Alexander-Arnold they are also online to begin with. There is a slight doubt about the position of the left back as Ben chilwell not available due to illness, which means Trippier could have an outlet on the opposite side.
Jack grealish, Calvert-Lewin and Ings impressed against Wales, but Harry kane Y Marcus rashford will be back in the XI, while there should also be a retreat for Jadon sancho, who is available after missing the Wales clash for violating coronavirus regulations.
Declan Rice meanwhile, he will perform in the middle of the park, and the Liverpool captain could join Jordan henderson, who has not played at club level since September 20 due to injury.
As for Belgium, Thibaut Courtois had to leave camp on Thursday after a medical check-up found the Real Madrid goalkeeper unfit to play, meaning the former Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet must start between the suits.
Martinez’s team is also missing key players in the form of Thorgan Hazard Y Dries Mertens, While Eden Hazard You only have one external possibility to participate, which means that visitors will not be in full force on Sunday night.
Jeremy doku Y Leandro trossard therefore could join Romelu lukaku in the last third of the field, while Leicester City Timothy chestnuts it should appear as the rear wing on the left side.
Belgium is also expected to line up with three defenders, including Toby Alderweireld Y Jan Vertonghen – While Kevin De Bruyne is likely to play central along with Axel witsel in the midfield.
Possible starting England line-up:
Pickford; Gomez, Maguire, Dier; Alexander-Arnold, Rice, Henderson, Trippier; Sancho, Kane, Rashford
Possible starting line-up for Belgium:
Mignolet; Alderweireld, Denayer, Vertonghen; Meunier, De Bruyne, Witsel, Castagne; Doku, Lukaku, Trossard
We say: England 2-2 Belgium
Belgium will not be in full force for this match, but there is no doubt that Martinez’s team will feel capable of scoring all three points. England will also like their chances of success, but we are finding it difficult to separate the two teams and will ultimately back a goal-tie at Wembley.
Top betting tip
Our expert advice partners at Sporita.com predict less than 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and to learn more about their tried and true soccer tips.Less than 3.5: data
