Belgium vs Algeria: World Cup 2014 match preview

A look ahead to Tuesday’s group H match

Eden Hazard is the stand-out player from a very talented crop (GETTY IMAGES)

Much is expected from Belgium’s impressive roster at this World Cup and everyone will get to witness a first sample when the Red Devils take on Group H underdogs Algeria.

Manager Marc Wilmots must be feeling very relieved after finding out that Chelsea striker, and Everton’s top scorer this past season, Romelu Lukaku has overcome his ankle problem and is set to be Belgium’s hit man up front. Nevertheless, former Blues’ winger Kevin De Bruyne and Lille striker Divock Origi are still nursing their ankle injuries. Plus, the Belgians will also be missing the services of Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke throughout the entire competition over a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic will have to wait right before the match to decide whether he will include former Portsmouth man Hassan Yebda in the starting line-up as the midfielder is also dealing with another ankle injury. Other than that, it is all hands on deck for the Desert Foxes and much will be expected from Valencia striker Sofiane Feghouli up front.

KICK-OFF: Tuesday, 5pm

PAST TWO MEETINGS…

Algeria 1 (Belmadi) Belgium 3 (Mpenza 2, Sonck), International Friendly, February 2003

Belgium 0 Algeria 0, International Friendly, May 2002

 

STATS…

This is the first competitive match in which the teams will be facing each other.

Belgium manager Marc Wilmots has scored five goals in the World Cup for the national team - which is more than anyone else.

If Algeria do not score in the first 36 minutes of the match then they will break a record of 517 minutes without a World Cup goal, held by Bolivia.

The Desert Foxes have 17 players that were born in France.

ODDS…

Belgium to win: 4.9

Algeria to win: 15.2

Draw: 15.4

TV: Live on ITV at 5pm