Belgium vs USA : Preview and Probable Lineup

Belgium and USA face each other with an eye in Quarterfinals stage berth.

This will be the fourth meeting between the sides in International Football. In the past three meetings between the teams, Belgium have won two and USA have been victorious in one occasion. The recent meeting between these teams was held last year and Belgium were victorious by 4-2. Benteke scored a brace while Fellaini, Mirallas, Cameron and Dempsey scored on each for their teams.

Belgium were victorious in all the matches they layed in their group as they accumulated perfect nine points out of nine to stand top in the group. Belgium opened their Group match with a 2-1 win over Algerian side who went onto the lead with a Feghoulli’s penalty. They followed it up with a 1-0 win over Russia after Divock Origi scored the winner late in the match. Belgium stamped the authority at the top with 1-0 win over South Korea in the final match despite being reduced to 10-men in the half time.

USA stood second behind Germany in the group stage and progressed to knockout stage desite having same points as portugal via better Goal Difference. USA won their first match of the campaign against Ghana by 2-1 after John Brooks scored the winner five minutes from time. They were held to a late draw by Portugal in their second match after Varela scored in last minute of injury time to level the score at 2-2. They eneded their group stage on a poor note after being defeated by Germany in the last match by 1-0.

Team News:

Steven Defour was red carded in last match and will be out of contention while Anthony Vanden Borre will also miss out due to fibula fracture.

Jozy Altidore is fit enough and will start this game ahead of Clint Dempsey in forward.

Probable Starting Lineup:

Belgium:

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Thibaut Courtois: Jan Vertonghen, Daniel Van Buyten, Vincent Kompany, Tpby Alderweireld: Maraoune Fellaini, Axel Witsel : Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Dries Mertens: Romelu Lukaku

USA:

Formation: 4-4-1-1

Tim Howard: Johnson, Gonzalez. Besler, Beas;ey : Jermain Jones, Michael Bradely, Zusi, Beckerman: Clint Dempsey: Altidore