Momentum or experimentation? The question for both England and Belgium managers Gareth Southgate and Roberto Martinez is whether to stick or twist – and that goes for group position, too.
The two sides square off for their final Group G clash at the Kaliningrad Stadium with progression to the last-16 already secured.
However, top spot could become a bit of a hot potato with Group H’s make-up to be decided earlier on Thursday. Colombia are a potential banana skin in the knockouts for the winners of Group G.
That means changes are likely for the Three Lions and Red Devils and with that, brings a myriad of tactical talking points.
Here, we examine three of the most prominent.
KEEP THE CONCENTRATION
Three Lions shot-stopper Jordan Pickford.
From their two opening World Cup wins England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has registered just a single save with Panama (they scored once from a set-piece) and Tunisia (their only goal arriving from the penalty spot) firing 11 of 14 shots wide of the mark.
His opposite number Thibaut Courtois has also been forced to endure a similarly quiet campaign in Russia with the Belgium stopper making three of his five saves in the 5-2 hammering of Tunisia.
So while eyes are naturally zoned in on the personnel in front of the two custodians, both Pickford and Courtois can use Thursday’s fixture to ensure their concentration is locked in for the knockouts.
Indeed, as we’ve already seen in Russia, long spells of dominating possession has led to uncharacteristic mistakes from some of the best goalkeepers in world football, Spain’s David De Gea a notable victim of laxity.
That is unlikely to be the case for either in Kaliningrad with the pair hoping to pass their first stern examination.
GOOD OR BAD KOMPANY
Preparing for a return: Vincent Kompany.
Much has been made of Martinez’s stubborn desire to glue his side to the 3-4-2-1 formation he’s adopted since taking charge of Belgium.
The critics have argued that while it is advantageous against sides who sit in deep and surrender possession, the system has vulnerabilities when tested by teams with more notion of attacking.
And England, with their own forward-thinking full-backs linked to buzzing No8s, are built to exploit the gaps exposed by Belgium’s wingers-come-wingbacks, regardless of the position’s occupants on Thursday.
With Thomas Vermaelen and Vincent Kompany expected to make their first appearances in Russia, the pair entered the tournament carrying injuries, two of the three centre-backs could be changed meaning Belgium’s left side is ripe for a ripping.
If Kompany and Vermaelen struggle to shift across and block the channels in one v one situations, England could have plenty of joy from wide positions.
GOLDEN KANE TO PROFIT FROM TAA
Prolific so far: Harry Kane has netted five times.
Thursday represents a perfect platform to accelerate the maturation of Trent Alexander-Arnold while also providing Southgate with a look at England’s other set-piece specialist.
The Three Lions have built their success in Russia on profiting from the delicious delivery of Kieran Trippier as Southgate – inspired by his admiration of American football – has unleashed a playbook of training ground routines to great effect.
And Liverpool’s teenage star Alexander-Arnold is a natural replacement for Tottenham’s Trippier – who did limp off in the Panama pasting – as he possesses deadly service of his own.
His ratio of almost one accurate cross per game was one of the highest for Liverpool last season and it’s a weapon which could benefit Harry Kane’s Golden Boot bid because the 19-year-old’s delivery has variety – floated, flat or fast – and precision from either open play or dead-ball situations.
