Belgium v England: Nations League predictions, free betting tips & TV

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Belgium v England in the Nations League on Sunday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League, 7.45pm Sunday

Best bet

Belgium
2pts 11-8 bet365, Betfred, Betway

Team news

Belgium
Eden Hazard is self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19. Timothy Castagne, Yannick Carrasco and Leandro Trossard are ruled out with injuries.

England
Marcus Rashford (shoulder) and Conor Coady (Covid-19) are ruled out and Harry Maguire and Reece James are suspended. Joe Gomez is also sidelined.

Match preview

England beat Belgium 2-1 in the Nations League at Wembley last month but the Red Devils can avenge that defeat by winning Sunday's rematch in Leuven.

Belgium returned to the top of Group A2 with a 2-1 success in Iceland and they can stay on track for a berth in next October's finals.

The battle for top spot is a three-way contest involving Belgium, England and Denmark although the English challenge will probably end unless they make it back-to-back wins over Roberto Martinez's side.

A draw would leave England two points adrift of Belgium and rule them out of the qualification picture unless Denmark fail to justify odds-on favouritism at home to Iceland.

Despite the onus being on England to push for a win, it is unlikely that Gareth Southgate will dispense with the cautious tactics he has favoured in this campaign.

Wholesale changes are likely to be made to the side who won 3-0 against Ireland on Wednesday and they will probably include moves towards a more defensive-minded midfield with Declan Rice and Jordan Henderson likely to replace Harry Winks and Mason Mount.

It is understandable that Southgate should wish to go with a pragmatic midfield because his rearguard is going to be makeshift with Harry Maguire, Joe Gomez and Conor Coady ruled out of contention.

Kyle Walker and Eric Dier look certain starters with Tyrone Mings set get the nod on the left of the back three, but the trio would be playing together for the first time and are sure to be put under pressure by one of the leading teams in world football.

Belgium followed their third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup by winning all ten of their European championship qualifiers.

The Wembley loss to England was their only defeat since the end of 2018. But they were leading 1-0 in that game and looked totally in control when England were handed a soft penalty just before half-time, and their weaker second-half performance was influenced by an injury to Kevin De Bruyne, who was withdrawn in the 73rd minute.

De Bruyne has recovered full fitness over the last few weeks and has been outstanding for Manchester City, supplying assists for six of their last eight goals.

He can be just as influential for the Belgians and is the main reason why Martinez's side remain top of Fifa's rankings.

Beating Belgium in that first group clash was a major achievement for England but they should struggle to repeat the feat just five weeks later and the value lies with a wager on the home side at odds-against.

Key stat

Belgium have won eight of their last nine home matches.

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