'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The match between England and Belgium is one of the most awaited fixtures in the group stages of this World Cup. This game will see a lot of familiar friends go up against each other. There's a large influx of Belgian players who play in the English Premier League and they'll look to outdo their illustrious rivals.
Kevin de Bruyne vs Kyle Walker and John Stones (Belgium vs England)
One of the most improved players this season in Manchester City was big-money signing of 2016- John Stones. The Englishman had a rough start to his career at the Etihad Stadium and looked to have fallen off the peak. However, Guardiola's confidence and man-management ultimately led to the young defender finding his mojo again in a successful trophy-laden campaign.Belgium are one of the favourites on paper due to the strength of their team and the man who'll be leading their charge will be none other than Kevin de Bruyne. The Belgian midfield maestro had a sensational season at Manchester City where he stole the show from the centre of the pitch. The Belgian controlled games in the Premier League like never seen before and would have been the favorite to walk home with all the individual honours if not for Mo Salah's breathtaking season. Nevertheless, his showings this year have propelled him into the bracket of the top midfielders in the game at the moment. de Bruyne along with Hazard will look to lead Belgium into uncharted territories in the World Cup.
Trending
Kyle Walker was signed from Tottenham Hostpur this year by Pep Guardiola, and at the time of his signing he was the second most expensive defender in the world. The right-back had a fantastic campaign in which he proved his doubter wrong and was deservedly named in the PFA Team of the Year.
Walker, who is a right-back by trade will line up on the right side of the back three in a position that Walker has been trained to play in by English manager Gareth Southgate. Stones meanwhile will line up in the centre of the back 3 that Southgate will employ.
The two defenders will have an extremely difficult task of keeping de Bruyne quiet when the two familiar foes come face to face on 28th June. Stones and Walker will have to employ everything that he learned on the training ground at the Etihad to keep the Belgian star at bay.
Harry Kane vs Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen (England vs Belgium)
Harry Kane has been breaking numerous records in the Premier League at Spurs. The young Englishman has been scoring tons of goals season after season and he's inspired his club to great heights. Harry Kane will also be the flag bearer for the young and inexperienced English contingent. The Englishman has been handed the captaincy arm-band by Gareth Southgate ahead of more experienced options like Gary Cahill and Jordan Henderson.
The English forward will now have the additional responsibility of captaincy in addition to his goal scoring responsibilities. The English will come up against Belgium in the group stage where Kane will face his club-mates Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld. The two Belgian centre-backs are amongst the top defensive duos and playing together for the same club has only gone on to improve their communication and understanding when they play for their national team.
Kane will have the hard task of going past the sturdy Belgian unit led by these tough defenders. Both the Belgian defenders will know Kane inside out and this might enable them to deal with the Englishman properly. This battle between the Spurs men will be an exciting sub-plot in one of the most awaited fixtures of the group stage.
Depending on who Gareth Southgate employs in defense, we could see a few more interesting club battles in this game.
Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku could come up against Manchester United club teammates Ashley Young and Phil Jones.
Belgian captain Eden Hazard could come up against his club captain Gary Cahill.
