World Cup preview: Japan v Poland, Senegal v Colombia, England v Belgium, Panama v Tunisia
Thursday’s World Cup action sees England back on the pitch in what will be their toughest test so far in the competition, while the earlier kick-off will decide who they will face in the next round.
- 1500 BST Japan v Poland (BBC) (Group H)
- 1500 BST Senegal v Colombia (BBC) (Group H)
- 1900 BST England v Belgium (ITV) (Group G)
- 1900 BST Panama v Tunisia (ITV4) (Group G)
Before Southgate and the boys trot out in Kaliningrad, Group H’s final games take place, rounding off one of this year’s most unpredictable groups and deciding who will face England or Belgium in the round of 16.
Poland, the pre-tournament favourites to top the group, are already out of the competition after failing to effectively deploy striker Robert Lewandowski, who was the top scorer in European qualifying with 16 goals.
The Poles play a Japan side who have more than surpassed expectations by beating a much-fancied Colombia side in their opening match and drawing against Senegal in their second, and will qualify for the next round with a win or a draw. Japan coach Akira Nishino may see fit to replace veteran goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima who has now made several mistakes leading to goals in the tournament.
A draw for Senegal against Colombia will guarantee qualification, while either side could secure a place at the top of the Group H table with a win. The African side’s coach may employ a defensive line-up against a ferocious Colombia attack containing the assorted pace and skill of Radamel Falcao, Juan Cuadrado and James Rodriguez.
In the later kick-off Panama and Tunisia play for pride in their final match having both been eliminated from the tournament after losses to England and Belgium.
With the two European sides already assured a place in the round of 16, England and Belgium’s showdown in Kaliningrad will decide the overall victors of Group G, and determine who will play the second place team from Group H that was decided earlier.
It is a match that could be full of goals as golden boot contenders Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku are both expected to start.
Both sides have momentum following big wins against Panama and Tunisia but will likely rest a number of players in preparation for the next round, with Fabian Delph, Marcus Rashford and Danny Rose lined up as possible changes for England.
England’s odds of winning the competition have shortened after Germany’s dramatic elimination at the hands of South Korea on Wednesday, with the Three Lions now at 17-2 to lift the trophy.