World Cup 2018: Belgium vs Panama Lineups, Preview & Prediction

World Cup 2018: Belgium vs Panama Lineups, Preview & Prediction

Belgium will be without defenders Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen when they start their World Cup Group G campaign against Panama on Monday (4pm BST).

World Cup 2018: Belgium vs. Panama preview, players to watch, key stats.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Belgium : Eden Hazard

It was not the best of seasons for Hazard and Chelsea. There were flashes of brilliance but like Chelsea /  who surrendered its Premier League crown to Manchester City – Hazard was inconsistent. However, the Belgium star has the opportunity to regain his best form in the pursuit of glory in Russia.

Panama : Roman Torres

The hulking defender is the face of Panama and its captain. One of the region's most feared and experienced center-backs, Roman Torres — whose last-gasp goal saw Panama through to the World Cup — is a threat at set-pieces, while the Central Americans will be relying on the 32-year-old to stop Lukaku.

KEY OPTA FACTS

- This will be the first ever encounter between Belgium and Panama.

- Belgium is unbeaten in its last nine World Cup group games, winning each of its last four.

- Panama made it to the World Cup with a negative goal difference (minus one), winning only three of its 10 games in the final round of qualifying.

- Roberto Martinez is the first non-Belgian manager to lead the Red Devils at a major tournament since Scot Doug Livingston in 1954.

- Panama boss Hernan Dario Gomez is set for his third World Cup with a third different team, having led Colombia (1998) and Ecuador (2002) previously.

World Cup 2018, Belgium vs Panama: Belgium Determined To Live Up To Expectations Against Debutants Panama.


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World Cup 2018 groups: games, tables, current standings and analysis,
Group G - Belgium, Panama, Tunisia, England

BELGIUM

It's time to deliver for a team featuring such exceptional talent. But Belgium is a country that is yet to break into the semi-finals of a tournament.

It is widely acknowledged they have been held back by mediocre management. Now it is up to Roberto Martinez, a Spanish coach, to get the best out of this plethora of stars.

If you have Romelu Lukaku up front, Eden Hazard as a creative genius and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois for a final lock on goal, the ingredients for success are there.

There are issues in defence. Central defender Vincent Kompany is as brittle as he can be brilliant and there are very few credible back-ups available for the likes of Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen.

Key player: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) - Overshadowed Eden Hazard at the 2014 World Cup, he has only grown in stature, especially since his move to City and his more withdrawn position on the pitch.

Coach: Roberto Martinez was a surprise pick for Belgium when they ditched Marc Wilmots after a disappointing Euro 2016. The Spaniard easily adapted to life in international management.

PANAMA

A first qualification for the World Cup earned Panama a national holiday.

The Central Americans made it to Russia in style, defeating Costa Rica 2-1 in the final qualifier.

Panama has only four million people, but finished ahead of the United States, which has about 320 million.

Key player: Luis Tejada (Universitario) - The striker has scored 43 goals for Panama.

Coach: Hernan Dario Gomez - The Colombian has worked his magic again. He got Colombia into the 1998 World Cup, and then did the same for Ecuador in 2002. Now it is Panama's turn.

World Cup 2018; Sweden vs South Korea, Lineups, Preview, Team News, Live Stream.

Sweden vs South Korea preview, World Cup 2018; Sweden vs South Korea, Lineups, Preview, Team News, Live Stream.


Sweden and South Korea get their World Cup campaigns underway when they meet in Nizhny Novgorod on Monday.

The game could be crucial for both sides' chances of qualification as they also face holders Germany and Mexico in Group F.

However, neither side comes into the tournament in encouraging form.

World Cup 2018 groups: games, tables, current standings and analysis 

SWEDEN

Sweden had just stunned Italy in the play-offs to qualify for their first World Cup finals since 2006 when a tweet was posted by the country's best player: "We are Zweden."

The shadow of Zlatan Ibrahimovic hangs over the national team.

The Manchester United striker retired from international soccer after the 2016 European Championship and much of the build-up this time around was whether he might be lured back for one last World Cup.

Sweden seem more united and well-structured, but now they will find out just good they are without the force that made them tick for so long.

Key player: Emil Forsberg (Leipzig) - Has replaced Ibrahimovic as Sweden's inspiration in attack.

Coach: Janne Andersson - Took charge following Euro 2016 and has successfully rebuilt the team to be greater than the sum of its parts without Ibrahimovic.
 
SOUTH KOREA

Every World Cup since 1986 has featured South Korea. This time looks likelier to be a repeat of 2014's meek group-stage exit than 2002's swashbuckling run to the semi-finals.

Qualifying was tricky, with a place only secured thanks to a tense 0-0 draw against fellow qualifying contenders Uzbekistan on the final day of the Asian group stages, combined with Syria's failure to beat Iran.

Much will depend on a due of English Premier League players - Tottenham's Son Heung-min and Swansea's Ki Sung-yeung who bring valuable experience of top-level football.

Key player: Son Heung-min (Tottenham) - The top-scoring Asian player in Premier League history.

Coach: Shin Tae-yong - When defeats to Qatar and China threw South Korea's qualifying campaign into turmoil, the former Under-23 coach was promoted to steady the ship. Has only ever coached in South Korea and Australia.

 
Sweden, who are without the internationally-retired Zlatan Ibrahimovic, failed to score in their last three warm-up matches and have not won a game since beating Italy in the first leg of their play-off qualifier last November.

South Korea have had similar struggles over the last month - losing to Senegal and Bosnia and Herzegovina in friendlies.


However, while Sweden don't have Ibrahimovic, South Korea do have their talisman; Heung-Min Son.

The Tottenham forward scored 18 goals in all competitions last season and South Korea will be hoping he can deliver as they prepare for their ninth successive World Cup.

"I feel great when people say good things about me but what's important is that I have to show it on the pitch," said Son.

"I know lots of people's expectations are on me, so I also feel a responsibility."


South Korea only picked up a point at the last World Cup while Sweden made the last 16 in their last World Cup appearance in 2006.

The opening Group F game takes place on Sunday as Germany face Mexico.

Opta stats

Sweden are unbeaten in their four previous games against South Korea (W2 D2). It's their first encounter at the World Cup.

Since finishing as runners-up on home soil in 1958, Sweden have progressed past the second round of the World Cup only once, it was in 1994 when they finished third.

Sweden are unbeaten in their last nine group games at the World Cup (W3 D6), with their last defeat in the first round of the competition dating back to 20 June 1990 (1-2 v Costa Rica). Sweden have kept only three clean sheets in their last 24 games at the World Cup.


Sweden have won none of their last seven opening games at the World Cup (D5 L2), their last victory dating back to 1958, on home soil (3-0 v Mexico). Meanwhile, South Korea are unbeaten in their last four openers (W3 D1).

South Korea have won only one of their last nine World Cup games (D3 L5) - it was in their opening match of the 2010 edition against Greece (2-0). That win is also their only clean sheet in their last 12 matches in the competition.

Five of South Korea's last eight goals at the World Cup have been scored from outside the box. Also, 12 of South Korea's last 13 goals in the competition have come after half-time.