Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku lead the England v Belgium combined XI
Wednesday 27 June 2018 11:45, UK
We look at England and Belgium's best combined XI based on their performance stats so far at the World Cup.
Using Opta's data used to power Sky Sports Fantasy Six-a-Side, Belgium boast a slight numerical majority based on their performances in the opening two group games, which see the sides head into Thursday night's clash with the same points and identical goal differences.
Here's who makes the top-performing XI so far...
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Thibaut Courtois - 85.5 points
Belgium's clean sheet in their opener against Panama handed Thibaut Courtois a comfortable advantage over opposite number Jordan Pickford, who did not make a single save against Tunisia. Courtois then conceded twice against Tunisia but made three saves, worth nine points apiece in Fantasy Six-a-Side, while Pickford made his solitary save of the tournament so far in England's 6-1 thumping of Panama, seeing him collect a measly 15.5-points.
Keiran Trippier - 107 points
Tottenham's Keiran Tripper has surfaced as one of England's outstanding contributors early on in the World Cup, flourishing as the root of his side's potency from set-piece scenarios. He created a team-high six chances against Tunisia to add 42 points to the seven he earned from his seven successful crosses. Trippier's total of 60 completed passes also exhibit his value as a supplier to the runs in behind of Raheem Sterling and Jesse Lingard.
Toby Alderweireld - 118 points
A total of 91 successful passes from Toby Alderweireld against Panama proved an early reminder of his ever-reliable distribution from the back and therefore the importance of England maintaining their press from the front. The Tottenham man was rivalled by Kyle Walker, who showcased his own ability on the ball with 103 completed passes in Sunday's 6-1 win.
John Stones - 182 points
Two goals against Panama thrusted John Stones to a spot as the top Fantasy Six-a-Side points-scoring defender heading into Thursday's matchup. He made 93 successful passes which followed up his 73 against Tunisia in justifying his inclusion as a key implementor of Southgate's desired ball retention and forward-thinking approach from defensive quarters.
Harry Maguire - 107 points
As with Alderweireld and Stones, Leicester's Harry Maguire has looked well-aligned to his manager's defensive instructions with 68 completed passes against Tunisia and 74 against Panama. A total of 11 successful aerial duels reflect not only an authority at the back, but also the towering set-piece threat seemingly warranting wrestling tactics.
Yannick Carrasco - 63 points
Matching systems entail varying roles for Yannick Carrasco and Ashley Young on the left-hand side for their respective teams. There is evidently less of a defensive burden on Carrasco's responsibility, shown by his three shots on target and the two chances he created against Tunisia. In truth, neither have been troubled defensively and have registered just five clearances between them over the opening two games.
Jordan Henderson - 83.5 points
Liverpool's captain has cemented his starting role as England's holding midfielder and an integral pivot in a setup designed to disjoint the opposition's shape. 117 successful passes across his first two group games equate to dominant spells of possession and a key link to the likes of Sterling and Lingard both in-behind and between the lines. His role in England's perfectly-executed free-kick routine against Panama highlighted the added attacking freedom Southgate has granted him. Nonetheless, Belgium beckon as the first telling test of his defensive value.
Kevin De Bruyne - 117 points
Henderson's main job on Thursday could be containing the creativity of Kevin De Bruyne who has laid on a tournament-high nine chances after two games. His more reserved role on paper hasn't deterred his attacking threat, but instead give Belgium a deep-lying source for their swift counter-attacks. Besides providing a typically-expert assist against Panama, the Manchester City man also carried out his defensive responsibilities with two clearances and two successful aerial duels.
Eden Hazard - 167 points
If it isn't De Bruyne splitting defences, it will be Eden Hazard spinning his marker to allow Romelu Lukaku to choose his run. Belgium's win over Tunisia saw the Chelsea star register 111.5 points after notching two goals - one of which came courtesy of a penalty where he tormented Syam Ben Youssef into giving away. The six chances he has created so far also remind us of Belgium's embarrassment of riches with regards to the creativity Martinez has at his disposal. A familiar statistic come in the form of the nine fouls he has won, previewing an intriguing storyline given the implications of disciplinary records and the looming threat of suspensions as the tournament progresses.
Romelu Lukaku - 180.5 points
A brace in each of his first two games has placed the Manchester United man firmly in the race for the Golden Boot. Perhaps more importantly for his manager, his goals have gone some way towards diffusing fears over his cohesion with the playmakers around him. The forward is, however, a doubt for Thursday's game after sustaining an ankle injury during the win over Tunisia. His absence could carve an opening for Michy Batshuayi, who scored and recorded a game-high six shots after coming on as a second-half substitute for Lukaku.
Harry Kane - 213. 5 points
The ingredients of conviction and a spot of luck that all world-class strikers require were on hand to enhance Harry Kane's reputation further against Panama. His five goals flaunt a blend of aerial superiority responsible for five winning duels, instinctive movement in the penalty area and a rifle of a boot from the spot. 213.5 points position him as the leading Fantasy points-scorer ahead of the Group G decider, along with his place at the top of the Golden Boot charts.
