please log in to view this image Belo Horizonte 17:00 BST please log in to view this image World Cup 2014: Romelu Lukaku set to feature in Belgium's opening Group H game against Algeria The Chelsea forward picked up the knock during their final warm-up game against Tunisia, but is expected to start up front for the game in Belo Horizonte in place of long-term absentee Christian Benteke. Despite injury concerns over striker Divock Origi and Wolfsburgâs Kevin De Bruyne, coach Marc Wilmots believes they can continue playing their attacking brand of football which has led many to tip them as outside favourites. âI'm going to stay true to our philosophy and play football," said Wilmots. "We have done it in qualifying and I am not going to change it because we are at the World Cup. âNobody expected us to get to this point so quickly and we have kept things in perspective. The main thing is at the end of the World Cup we have no regrets." Itâs the first time that Belgium have competed in the tournament since 2002, and Wilmots says they want to replicate their successes of 1986, where they made the semi-finals. âThe results of 1986 were very nice," he added, "but now it is up to us to put aside the history books and write our own. "This is our first game in a World Cup for 12 years. We see this as a challenge and my players are very hungry." For Algeria, there were worries over Hassan Yebdaâs fitness after the midfielder pulled out of training last week with an ankle injury. However, the former Portsmouth midfielder is understood to have overcome his fitness struggles and will feature at the Estadio Mineirao, meaning coach Vahid Halilhodzic has a full-strength team to pick from. The Bosnian boss believes there is no gulf between the two sides and is confident his team can put up a valiant effort. âWe have been waiting for this moment for three years," said Halilhodzic. "We are in Brazil and I believe we are ready to compete. We are here to try to pass the first round. "Belgium are not necessarily stronger than us. Anything can happen in a game and if we do surprise them, it will be a great performance." Paul Merson's prediction Another team everyone keeps saying are dark horses are Belgium, but I donât see that. Theyâve got a load of good players but theyâve got no experience of tournament football in the World Cup or European Championships, and that donât half make a difference. The teams with the experience are the ones who will be favourites and though theyâve got the individuals, as a team I donât know about their chances. I think theyâll win this game but I donât think theyâre the team everyone thinks they are. PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Opta facts Belgium have won one of their last nine World Cup games (3-2 v Russia on 14 June 2002), drawing five and losing three. They have kept one clean sheet in these nine games: v Netherlands in 1998 (0-0). Belgium are unbeaten in two previous internationals against Algeria, winning one and drawing one (both friendlies). Thibaut Courtois saved 87.1% of shots faced in the European qualifiers, the best ratio among goalkeepers who featured more than five times. Algeria have failed to score in their last five World Cup games, attempting 71 unsuccessful shots since their last goal on 3 June 1986 against Northern Ireland (1-1, Djamel Zidane with the goal).
Kevin dB will score today for joint favorites Belgium. I watched them several times and was quite impressed about the current team - the best they have had for many, many years.
Belgium to win comfortably. The game will be stopped for 20 mins while the Belgian physio untangles Fellatio's legs that he manages to tie in knots as he runs aimlessly around the pitch like a new-born giraffe!!
I looked at their first eleven and would only pick 2 or 3 England players if there was a combined team. Also their players are young while this is Gerrards and Rooney's last tournament.
I rate Algeria as the best African side in the tournament. Have this one down as a 1-1 draw in the World Cup predictor I'm part of and have Algeria to progress from thier group. Looking good so far.
Looks like Belgium are choking with the expectation, it was an incredibly stupid pen to give away, he wouldn't have scored anyway.
