The weaknesses
Target the space in behind the wing-backs
Roberto Martínez’s preferred formation is 3-4-3 and that is unlikely to change even if he makes the “major changes” that he spoke about after their thumping win over Tunisia. The two wing-backs in that system (Thomas Meunier and Yannick Carrasco against Tunisia) both play extremely high up the pitch, rampaging down the flanks at every opportunity. Yet it was noticeable on Saturday just how much space opened up behind those two players, especially Carrasco, and that is something Tunisia exploited on the counterattack. Belgium looked a little unbalanced when they lost possession, partly because so many players were committed forward but also because those that remain – the three-man defence and Axel Witsel – are stationed more centrally, making the flanks an area to target.
Set-piece frailties
England have already had plenty of joy with set pieces at this World Cup – four of their six goals against Panama came via that route – and it will not have escaped their attention how easily Belgium were caught out from a dead-ball situation against Tunisia. Belgium, who like to mark man-for-man, initially held a high line when Tunisia were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position shortly after Romelu Lukaku scored his first goal, presumably to give Thibaut Courtois space to come and claim the ball, as well as to try to play offside. Yet if the delivery is right in that situation, as it was when Wahbi Khazri curled over an inswinging free-kick for Dylan Bronn to meet with a fine header, it is extremely hard to defend against. England, the set-piece masters, must hope to capitalise in the same way.
How good are Belgium?
With their golden generation of supremely talented individuals, Belgium are a formidable team. They are unbeaten in 20 matches, stretching back to September 2016, and are rightly regarded as one of the favourites for the World Cup. Yet look a bit deeper at that run of games – 15 wins and five draws – and the reality is that Belgium have enjoyed a fairly easy ride, facing only one nation ranked in the top six, and that match against Portugal finished goalless. England, in other words, should have nothing to fear and it would be interesting to see how Belgium react mentally if they face a bit of adversity on Thursday. Mexico, for example, caused Belgium no end of problems in a 3-3 draw last November.
The strengths
How do you pin down Hazard?
Wearing the captain’s armband with a real sense of pride, digging out Lukaku in their opening game for “hiding” and scoring twice against Tunisia in a sparkling display, Eden Hazard comes across as a man on a mission at this World Cup, determined to carry his country to glory and at the same time show why he belongs in the same company as some of the stellar names. Hazard has a licence to roam and an ability to glide away from players, and England will have their work cut out trying to restrict his influence, assuming that the Chelsea forward starts in Kaliningrad. Will Jordan Henderson be expected to mark Hazard or should one of the three central defenders step out?
The ‘dynamic playmaker’
One of the striking features when watching this Belgium side is just how deep Kevin De Bruyne picks up possession at times. He previously played further forward for his country, either as No 10 or a winger, but is now deployed in a more withdrawn role, almost alongside Witsel, where he can dictate the tempo of games with his fantastic range of passing and still break forward to create chances. Belgium can dominate opponents in that middle third of the pitch, especially with Carrasco and Meunier on either side, and England will need to find a way to break up their rhythm and prevent De Bruyne from being the “dynamic playmaker” Martínez wants on the ball as much as possible.
Lukaku and Mertens aren’t bad, either
It is difficult to know whether Lukaku and Dries Mertens will feature against England, given Martínez flagged up the fact both players are carrying slight knocks. At the same time, it is hard to believe a striker in the running for the Golden Boot will happily pass up the chance to add to his tally. Lukaku gave the impression his ankle problem is nothing like as bad as Martínez had made it sound. What is clear is England will have their hands full if he starts. Mertens, so prolific for Napoli over the last two seasons, is also a real threat. Throw Hazard into the mix and it is fair to say England’s three-man central defence will face its first proper test at these finals.