World Cup 2014 - Belgium team news: Thomas Vermaelen misses out, Nacer Chadli starts as Marc Wilmots names seven Premier League-based players in starting XI

Belgium are sure-fire favourites to cruise past Algeria and have named several Premier League players in their line-up

Thomas Vermaelen will not start against Algeria

(GETTY IMAGES)

Belgium have named seven Premier League-based players in their line-up to face Algeria, with Tottenham midfielder Nacer Chadli one of the surprise starters and Thomas Vermaelen missing out.

Chadli, who featured intermittently for Tottenham this season after moving from FC Twente last summer, will win his 23rd cap for Belgium. His team-mates Jan Vertonghen and Mousa Dembele also feature in Wilmots' starting XI, while Nabil Bentaleb starts for Algeria.

But Vermaelen, the Arsenal defender linked with a move to Premier League rivals Manchester United, misses out on a starting berth, with Vincent Kompany and Daniel Van Buyten preferred at the centre of defence.

Chelsea trio Thibaut Courtois, Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku all start, while former Blues winger Kevin De Bruyne - who joined Wolfsburg in January - lines up alongside Hazard and Chadli in the attacking midfield three.

There are a number of notable exclusions from the line-up. Manchester United pair Marouane Fellaini and Adnan Januzaj are not included in the team, while Napoli playmaker Dries Mertens and Everton winger Kevin Mirallas both miss out.

Belgium are making their first appearance since 2002, while Algeria went out in the group stage four years ago in South Africa.

Belgium (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Alderweireld, Van Buyten, Kompany, Vertonghen; Witsel, Dembele; Chadli, De Bruyne, Hazard; Lukaku

Algeria (4-3-3): M'Bohli; Mostefa, Bougherra, Halliche, Ghoulam; Taider, Medjani, Bentaleb; Feghouli, Mahrez, Soudani