Belgium vs Algeria - What we can expect

Belgium vs Algeria - What we can expect - Preview and Prediction

Belgium players practice ahead of the game against Algeria

The first round of matches come to an end with the Group H teams locking horns with each other. The group’s strongest team Belgium take on Algeria at the Estadio Mineiro located in Belo Horizonte. Belgium are considered to be the dark horses of this year’s World Cup. The Red Devils boast of a pool of young talent who have been playing brilliantly since the last couple of years. Algeria being the underdogs, will be under great pressure and they will hope to defend properly against their mighty opponents.

Venue

Estadio Mineirao located in the city of Belo Horizonte has a capacity of 58,170. The stadium had previously hosted the match between Colombia and Greece. The atmosphere around the stadium is extremely vibrant and the crowd is energetic. Estadio Mineirao will be hosting six games in total at this year’s Wold Cup which includes four group games, a round of 16 game and one semi final.

Kickoff Time

June 17 – 21:30 pm – Indian Standard Time (IST)

June 17 – 12:00 pm - Local Time

Possible Starting Line ups

Belgium coach Mark Wilmots has suggested that his team is completely injury free and are ready to field their best possible team against Algeria today. In the absence of Christian Benteke, Romelu Lukaku is the only experienced striker in the team. Marouane Fellaini and Axel Witsel are preferred in defensive midfield. Steven Defour, Moussa Dembele and Nacer Chadli will start on the bench.

Belgium (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Vertonghen, Vermaelan, Kompany, Alderweireld; Fellaini, Witsel; Hazard, De Bruyne, Mertens; Lukaku

Algeria will be facing the strongest team in Group H in their World Cup opener. They have got a number of players who are currently playing in European leagues. Algeria coach, Vahid Halilhodzic has great expectations from Souleymane Feghoulli and Nabil Bentaleb.

Algeria (4- 3-2-1): Zemmamouche; Mandi, Cadamuro, Bougherra, Ghoulam; Taider, Bentaleb, Lacen; Feghouli, Soudani; Silmani

Key Facts and Stats

Belgium has only won one of their last nine World Cup games (3-2 v Russia on June 14, 2002). They drew five and lost three. They have kept one clean sheet in these nine games, against Netherlands in 1998 (0-0).
They are unbeaten in their last two World Cup group stages (1998 and 2002) – 1 victory and 5 draws.
Algeria have failed to score in their last five World Cup games.
Belgium are unbeaten in two previous international games against Algeria, winning one and drawing one.
Thibaut Courtois saved 87.1 per cent of shots faced in the European qualifiers, the best ratio among goalkeepers who featured more than five times.
Eight of Belgium’s last 14 goals at the World Cup have come from set-pieces (5 from a corner kick, 2 from a direct free-kick, 1 from an indirect free-kick).
Only Spain (3) conceded fewer goals than Belgium (4) in the 2014 European World Cup qualifiers.

Key Battles

Eden Hazard v Aissa Mandi

Hazard is the most crucial player in Belgium colours, and the Chelsea midfielder would operate from the left flank. Algeria’s young right back Aissa Mandi will be in charge to mark the mighty Belgian. If Hazard cannot be stopped, it will be extremely difficult for Algeria to defend against the Red Devils. Hazard’s ability to make swift turns and his skillful dribbles needs to be stopped by Mandi.

Nabil Bentaleb v Vincent Kompany

The 19-year-old Tottenham midfielder Bentaleb is the most high profile player in the Algerian team. Bentaleb will play a crucial role in the attack of Algeria and he will be marked and blocked by Vincent Kompany. Bentaleb has an uphill task of going past Kompany to score goals or create chances for his team. It will be a small but interesting battle to look forward to.

Prediction

Belgium is the strongest team in this group and are expected to win this clash against minnows Algeria. It should be a comfortable win for the Red Devils provided Algeria does not produce any miracle. From a neutral’s point of view, we would all love to see Algeria producing a miracle but in reality, Belgium are far more superior than their opponents.

Predicted Scoreline : Belgium 3 – 0 Algeria