World Cup 2018: 5 players who deserve to start in the England vs Belgium encounter

England and Belgium have qualified for the knockout stages from Group G by defeating Tunisia and Panama. It is a perfect time for the teams to rest some players and give the bench a chance to feature in the World Cup.

There will be some friends in these two teams as more than half of the Belgium team play their club football in England. Lukaku, Rashford, Lingard play for Manchester United, Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Dier, Alli, Kane from Tottenham, Kompany, Delph, Sterling from Manchester City and more.

The coaches of both teams haven't altered their playing XI during their previous two matches and will be in a need to rest players for the tough knockout matches.

Belgium played with the same XI in both their matches against Tunisia and Panama whereas England was forced to start Ruben Loftus-cheek in place of injured Dele Alli.

Belgium defeated Panama and Tunisia comfortably by the scoreline 3-0 and 5-2 respectively and England won by 2-1 (against Tunisia) and 6-1 (against Panama).

The strikers of both the teams have been in a lethal form, Romelu Lukaku scored a brace in both matches, whereas Harry Kane scored a brace in the first match and then a hat-trick against Panama.

Both teams currently have same goal difference, and if the game is drawn the group winner will be determined by fair play.

Belgium's coach Roberto Martinez has already revealed that Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku are injury doubts and need rest so he will look to give chances to few of the players who haven't yet started.

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#1 Marcus Rashford (in for Raheem Sterling)

Rashford - prodigy

Rashford was sensational in England's friendlies and even scored a 30-yard stunner against Costa Rica.

The Manchester United prodigy came on as a substitute for Raheem Sterling in the first match against Tunisia and livened up the stagnant attack immediately but didn't get a chance to play against Panama. He will be hungry and desperate to get on the pitch.

Gareth Southgate won't be considering a change in his formation from 3-4-1-1 and hence Rashford will be the direct replacement for Sterling to play off Harry Kane (if Gareth Southgate decides to not to rest his talisman).

#2 Mousa Dembele (in for Axel Witsel)

Dembele against Panama

The Belgian midfielder has won admirers all over Europe due to his composed and consistent performances for Tottenham Hotspur.

He will protect the back four and give freedom to other players to attack. He came on as a substitute against Panama and brought a little bit of extra security to the midfield. He also moved the ball quickly from defence to midfield and had his task cut out.

Axel Witsel has played every minute of Belgium's World cup campaign, and he deserves to get a rest because his side has already qualified for the next round.

He is an important member of the team and Roberto Martinez would not like to risk his main midfielder in a match where they do not have much to lose.

#3 Michy Batshuayi (in for Romelu Lukaku)

Batshuayi and Lukaku for Belgium

Two matches, Two braces! It is clear that Romelu Lukaku is by far the first choice striker for Belgium and he has proved that in the past few games for Belgium.

The big Belgian is in red-hot form, scoring goals for his country. At the age of 25, Lukaku has more goals in major tournaments than any other Belgian and he also became the first player to score two or more in successive World Cup games since Diego Maradona in 1986.

Michy Batshuayi came on as a substitute against Tunisia and could have had five goals but missed three sitters before scoring Belgium’s fifth.

Roberto Martinez has also revealed that he is looking to rest Romelu Lukaku after an ankle injury fear. Michy will be the direct replacement for him if Belgium's coach opts for an out and out striker.

#4 Danny Rose (in for Ashley Young)

Danny Rose

Tottenham's left-back was assumed to be the first choice for Gareth Southgate by many people but it was Ashley Young who has started both the two matches for The Three Lions. Danny Rose came on as a substitute for Kieran Tripper against Panama, and Ashley Young was moved to right wing-back.

Young had eased through both games without any real fuss, allowing Trippier to add value to the attack on the other side but left spaces behind him in both the matches which can prove costly against more quality teams.

He had an amazing season at Manchester United but his defensive positioning still leaves a big question mark. Danny rose should get a chance to stake his claim to the position.

#5 Eric Dier (in for Jesse Lingard)

Eric Dier (far right)

More than for Eric Dier, this change is to rest Jesse Lingard. He has started both games and looked lively on the pitch but missed an abundance of chances in the first game against Tunisia.

However, his performance against Panama proved that he is the real deal. His clever run into the box helped England to earn a penalty and then he scored a belter of a goal from outside the box.

He will be an essential player for England and the game against Belgium will be the perfect match to give him some rest.

Belgium is an attacking team and certainly has the more lethal options going forward as compared to Panama and Tunisia, thus Southgate may think to put another defensive player on the pitch to control the midfield. Eric Dier is strong and can help the team stop the counter-attacks from Belgium.