SHOOTOUT IN KALININGRAD – ENGLAND v BELGIUM – WHO IS GOING TO TOP GROUP G?
So England take on Belgium in their final Group G fixture, with both teams more than 
happy with the situation. They have dealt with the other sides, Tunisia and Panama, and will face each other in a match that will decide who goes through as the winners or runners up. The Belgian ‘Red Devils’ will be favourites and that is understandable, they came into the tournament as one of the fancied teams and when you look at the players they have at their disposal then it is no surprise.
JOB DONE 2
As mentioned England have done exactly what they needed and the pressure is off Gareth ‘GS’ Southgate’s men. The 6-1 demolition of Panama showed that if they are allowed to play (and take their chances) this England side can beat anybody and heavily. It was a similar start against Tunisia, with the difference in Nizhny Novogrod being that they were clinical, I am sure Southgate will hope this continues.
CHANGES EXPECTED
With both teams through to the next phase, I expect changes to both sides. The England 
manager has mentioned that he would like to get some playing time into his squad members who have not been involved as well as give a breather to some others. Roberto Martinez has already stated he will be changing his team as he has some injuries (including key players in star striker Romelu Lukaku and captain Eden Hazard) to some members of his likely first 11. Five players are also on bookings, Vertonghen, Meunier and De Bruyne for Belgium with Walker and Loftus-Cheek for England. Another one means a suspension so maybe a tactical rest will be enforced for those players. With a guaranteed Round of 16 match for both teams taking place early next week this kind of thinking from both managers is understandable.
SUBPLOT
England sit a top the group, but only because they have one booking less. Both teams have the same number of points and exactly the same goals for and against. By the time they play they will both know who they would face in the Round of 16 dependent on whether they finished first or second in the group as well as the potential teams they would meet if they were to plot a route to the final. One of the most intriguing things is the booking situation, if it is a draw (especially late on) would a team rather get more bookings to be second in the group, this is most definitely something to look out for in my opinion.
PREDICTION
Ok so for me this is a free shot for the Three Lions and Belgium. ‘Shaggy Dog’ a regular contributor on www.football-england.com said to me that the Belgian’s were the best team he had seen at this World Cup, a fair judgement. As previously mentioned both sides will make changes and whilst there will be a possible slight distraction knowing next round opponents and a potential route to the final, I can see Roberto Martinez’s team just edging out the English as they seek to put a marker down before the knockout phase begins and lets be honest, I think ‘GS’ would not be too disappointed if that was the result, because of the future draws. An entertaining game to come 1-2 to Belgium.
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