World Cup play-off: Belgium vs. England team news, predictions, odds, TV channel

Belgium vs. England

• When: Saturday 14 July
• Kick-off time: 3pm (UK time)
• Where: Saint Petersburg Stadium, St Petersburg
• TV channel: live on ITV

Both England and Belgium are still hurting after their defeats in the World Cup semi-finals but now the two nations have to battle it out for third place at the Saint Petersburg Stadium on Saturday.

England lost 2-1 to Croatia after extra-time on Wednesday but head coach Gareth Southgate hopes his side can end their Russian adventure on a high.

“The honest thing is it’s not a game any team wants to play in,” said Southgate about the third-place play-off. “[But] we will want to give a performance of huge pride. There’s no question about that. It’s always there every time we wear the shirt of our national team, we want to play with pride, we want to play well and win.

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“Of course it is going to be a really difficult task over the next 24 hours to assess everybody and to get everybody mentally back to where we want them for a game like that. But that will be the challenge.

“We’ll make sure we are ready as a group to go again because the group have huge pride in their performances, in the way that they work. And we have made such strides with our supporters and our public that we want to continue to do that.”

Team news

Southgate is expected to make a number of changes and give some game-time to his Three Lions squad players. Kieran Trippier is a major injury doubt after limping off against Croatia.

Belgium boss Roberto Martinez will also have to decide if he wants to rotate his squad or go with the majority of the same team that lost 1-0 to France in the semi-final. Full-back Thomas Meunier is available after his one-match suspension.

Belgium vs. England predicted starting XIs

How the teams could line up at the Saint Petersburg Stadium, according to the London Evening Standard:

• England: Butland; Jones, Cahill, Maguire; Alexander-Arnold, Dier, Loftus-Cheek, Rose; Dele, Lingard; Vardy
• Belgium: Courtois; Alderweireld, Kompany, Boyata; Meunier, Fellaini, Witsel, Chadli, De Bruyne; T Hazard, Batshuayi

Belgium vs. England predictions

The Daily Telegraph: “With each team in the emotional doldrums, much will depend on selection. Belgium were unbeaten throughout the tournament until losing by a single goal to France, so the smart money will follow them. Prediction: Belgium 3 England 1.”

Sports Mole: “There are likely to be changes galore, as was the case in the group stages, and the winners may well be determined by which side has recovered from the disappointment of their semi-final defeat the quickest. Belgium have had an extra day of rest and also boast the greater strength in depth, so we’re backing them to come out on top. Belgium 2-1 England.”

Belgium vs. England betting odds

Latest prices according to Oddschecker (as of 13 July).

• Belgium to win: 6/5
• Draw: 14/5
• England to win: 11/5

First goalscorer

• Harry Kane (England): 4/1
• Romelu Lukaku (Belgium): 17/4
• Michy Batshuayi (Belgium): 11/2
• Eden Hazard (Belgium): 7/1
• Jamie Vardy (England): 15/2
• Marcus Rashford (England): 9/1
• Dries Mertens (Belgium): 9/1

Correct score

• Draw 1-1: 7/1
• Belgium 2-1: 17/2
• Belgium 1-0: 21/2
• England 2-1: 12/1
• Draw 2-2: 12/1
• Belgium 2-0: 13/1
• England 1-0: 14/1
• Draw 0-0: 16/1
• Belgium 3-1: 16/1
• England 2-0: 20/1