Belgium - a guide to the Group H favourites

Described by many as 'dark horses', Belgium's stock has grown significantly beyond that tag over the last two years. They cruised through qualifying with an unbeaten record, conceding only four goals in ten matches.

At the moment, Belgium are ranked the 12th strongest team in the world by FIFA, and there is good reason for that.

Despite Christian Benteke's absence from the tournament owing to a ruptured Achilles, the Red Devils possess plenty of power in attack. Romelu Lukaku is expected to lead the line following his impressive season for Everton, while Chelsea's player of the year, Eden Hazard, will take on much of the creative burden. His former team-mate at Stamford Bridge, Kevin de Bruyne, is also a key man in Marc Wilmots' squad, while Adnan Januzaj has received a recent call-up after declaring his allegiance.

As well as an exciting attack, Belgium have a strong defence marshalled by Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany and Tottenham's Jan Vertonghen. Marouane Fellaini and Mousa Dembele are often selected in central midfield in a team that has a solid spine of British-based stars.

Belgium's Group H fixtures

1. Tuesday June 17th: Belgium v Algeria - Belo Horizonte (17.00)

2. Sunday June 22nd: Belgium v Russia - Rio de Janeiro (17.00)

3. Thursday June 26th: Belgium v South Korea - Sao Paulo (21.00)

Coach: Marc Wilmots

The 45-year-old scored Belgium's last World Cup goal in 2002 before retiring and becoming a coach. He was assistant manager of the national team for three years before taking the top job in May 2012. Since then, Belgium have gone from strength to strength, with Wilmots developing a young team into a competitive unit who travel to Brazil high on confidence. They are strong at the back and exciting in attack, and will expect to progress from what is seen to be one of the weaker groups in the tournament.

Star man: Eden Hazard

Also the star man for Chelsea, Hazard has made a huge impact since arriving at Stamford Bridge and chipped in with 14 goals and seven assists in 35 Premier League appearances this season. However, Jose Mourinho has said he wants more from Hazard after criticising the winger for his performance in Chelsea's defeat to Atletico Madrid, and that's a view mirrored by Wilmots. "Eden knows what I expect from him. I don't tolerate one moment of loosening," said the Belgium coach in March. "He has to improve his stats in the national team. Where is he now? He has scored five goals, two of them were penalties, in almost 50 games. That's not enough. I wasn't as talented as he was, but I've scored 29 goals for Belgium. I love Eden, but I ask him to be more decisive." The World Cup is the perfect stage for the 23-year-old to finally shine.

Tournament best: Fourth, 1986.

Squad: 

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea), Simon Mignolet (Liverpool), Sammy Bossut (Zulte-Waregem)

Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (Atletico Madrid), Anthony Vanden Borre (Anderlecht), Laurent Ciman (Standard Liege), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Daniel Van Buyten (Bayern Munich), Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal), Nicolas Lombaerts (Zenit St Petersburg)

Midfielders: Axel Witsel (Zenit St Petersburg), Steven Defour, Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United), Nacer Chadli (Tottenham), Moussa Dembele (Tottenham), Kevin De Bruyne (Wolfsburg), Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United), Eden Hazard (Chelsea)

Forwards: Dries Mertens (Napoli), Kevin Mirallas (Everton), Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea), Divock Origi (Lille)

British based players: Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea), Simon Mignolet (Liverpool), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham), Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal), Mousa Dembele (Tottenham), Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United), Nacer Chadli (Tottenham), Kevin Mirallas (Everton), Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United).

Sky Bet odds: 16/1

Marc Wilmots’ talented side head into the tournament as fifth favourites, having been available at as long as 250/1 when the outright book opened after the last World Cup. They are just 4/6 to win Group H with Romelu Lukaku 15/8 to be their leading marksman and 22/1 to be the tournament’s top scorer.