MX23RW : Monday, June 14 07:12:50| >> :120:76800:76800:
Jun 12, 2021 at 8pm UK at Saint-Petersburg Stadium
BelgiumBelgium
3-0
RussiaRussia
Lukaku (10', 88'), Meunier (34')
FT(HT: 2-0)

How Belgium could line up against Russia

How Belgium could line up against Russia
© Reuters
Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Belgium could line up for their Euro 2020 opener with Russia on Saturday.

Belgium's talismanic playmaker Kevin De Bruyne will not be fit for their opening clash of Euro 2020 with Russia on Saturday night.

The Manchester City man suffered two facial fractures in the Champions League final and was forced to undergo surgery, which led to manager Roberto Martinez effectively ruling him out of the opening encounter, and he has not travelled with the team to St Petersburg.

The Red Devils have no fresh concerns for this clash, but caution will continue to be observed over the injury-plagued Eden Hazard, while Axel Witsel is still working his way back to fitness after a long-term Achilles issue and is definitely out.

A familiar back four will see Thibaut Courtois reprise his regular role in goal, and with Dedryck Boyata not at full fitness, the three-man defence should see Toby Alderweireld, Jason Denayer and Jan Vertonghen feature from the first whistle.

Timothy Castagne and Thomas Meunier are in competition to start on the right, but with the former's Leicester City teammate Youri Tielemans surely in line to start, Castagne will hope to link up with his fellow Fox on Saturday.

Another Premier League lynchpin in Leander Dendoncker ought to partner Tielemans in midfield, while La Liga title winner Yannick Carrasco should be given the nod as a left wing-back.

Thorgan Hazard should provide some more attacking impetus from the wide areas while his brother Eden warms the bench, and the final two spots in Martinez's attack should be occupied by Dries Mertens and Romelu Lukaku - the latter of whom now boasts 60 goals for the national team.

Belgium possible starting lineup: Courtois; Alderweireld, Denayer, Vertonghen; Castagne, Tielemans, Dendoncker, Carrasco; Mertens, Hazard; Lukaku

> Click here to see how Russia could line up for this clash

ID:450867:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4396:

How you voted: Belgium vs Russia

Belgium
86.3%
Draw
7.6%
Russia
6.1%
912
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Belgium players celebrate scoring against Greece on June 3, 2021
Read Next:
Belgium Euro 2020 preview - prediction, fixtures, squad, star player
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.

rhs 2.0
Euro 2020 fixtures
Monday, June 14, 2021
 
5pm
 
8pm
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
 
8pm
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
 
2pm
 
5pm
Thursday, June 17, 2021
 
5pm
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38275683325186
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd382111673442974
3Liverpool38209968422669
4Chelsea381910958362267
5Leicester CityLeicester382061268501866
6West Ham UnitedWest Ham381981162471565
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs381881268452362
8Arsenal381871355391661
9Leeds UnitedLeeds38185156254859
10Everton38178134748-159
11Aston Villa38167155546955
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle38129174662-1645
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38129173652-1645
14Crystal Palace38128184166-2544
15Southampton38127194768-2143
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton38914154046-641
17Burnley38109193355-2239
RFulham38513202753-2628
RWest Bromwich AlbionWest Brom38511223576-4126
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd3872292063-4323

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!