UEFA Nations League team news and prediction: England vs Belgium

After a 3-0 win over Wales on Thursday night, attention turns back to the UEFA Nations League as England take on Belgium at Wembley. The Red Devils were held to a 1-1 draw with Ivory Coast in midweek, and will look to bounce back from the stalemate against the Three Lions. 

In the build up to this clash, we have all your need-to-know match info in one place, including when kick off is, where you can watch it, as well as team news, probable XIs and predicted scoreline. 

When is kick off? 

Sunday 11th October, 17:00 GMT 

Where is the match? 

Wembley Stadium, London 

Where can I watch it? 

Sky Sports Main Event / Sky Sports Football 

2020/21 So Far 

England will look to make home advantage count as they seek to add to their four UEFA Nations League points so far. After a 1-0 win in Iceland, the Three Lions were held to a 0-0 draw in Denmark, so while unbeaten, they currently sit second in Group 2 behind Sunday's opponents. 

Indeed, with two wins from two and seven goals scored, Belgium have made a flying start to their UEFA Nations League campaign. Following a comfortable 2-0 win in Denmark, Roberto Martinez's side tore Iceland apart, romping to a 5-1 victory on home turf. 

The weekend's clash marks the first time to two sides have met since the 2018 World Cup, where Belgium secured a 2-0 victory over England in the third place playoff having also emerged victorious in a 1-0 win in the group stage clash in Russia. 

Team News 

Raheem Sterling is unavailable for England here after suffering a thigh injury while in domestic action for Manchester City. Ben Chilwell, Tammy Abraham and Jadon Sancho played no part in England's 3-0 win over over Wales after flouting the Coronavirus rules, but the latter pair are back in the squad. 

However, Chilwell has since developed flu-like symptoms, but it's been confirmed his illness isn't COVID related as the left-back, Sancho and Abraham all tested negative for Coronavirus, so while the Chelsea man misses the welcome of Belgium; he should be fine for next week's meeting with Denmark. 

The big blow for Belgium comes between the sticks after Thibaut Courtois was forced to pull out of the squad through injury, with familiar face Simon Mignolet expected to deputise in goal. Real Madrid teammate and Belgium captain Eden Hazard is also ruled out, which is a setback for the Red Devils. Roberto Martinez is waiting on news on Dries Mertens' availability after the Napoli squad was forced to quarantine, while Hendrick von Crombrugge has left the Belgium camp for personal reasons. 

Probable XIs 

England (343) - Pickford; Dier, Coady, Maguire; Walker, Rice, Henderson, Trippier; Mount, Kane, Rashford 

Belgium (3421) - Mignolet; Alderweireld, Denayer, Vertonghen; Meunier, Witsel, Tielemans, Hazard; Carrasco, De Bruyne; Lukaku

Key Battle: Harry Kane vs Romelu Lukaku

Despite netting on his international debut, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is expected to drop out of the XI at the expense of captain Harry Kane. The Tottenham forward didn't play a single minute against Wales on Thursday, so will be itching to get out on the Wembley turf to maintain his fine start to the campaign. Indeed, while Kane is yet to score in the UEFA Nations League, his club form has been superb.

The Tottenham star is the lead assister in Europe's top five leagues, with six to his name, and has three goals to add to that. Factor in his five goals and one assist in the Europa League qualifiers and Kane is a man in form for his club and he'll look to transfer that to country on Sunday. Similarly, Romelu Lukaku didn't play any part in Belgium's 1-1 draw with Ivory Coast in the week and while Michy Batshuayi was exceptional in the Red Devils' win over Iceland, the Inter star is set to lead the attack against England.

Lukaku has three goals from his opening three league outings for Inter this season, ensuring the Nerazzuri have made an unbeaten start to the campaign. Like Kane, Lukaku is yet to score in the UEFA Nations League, albeit have played just one of two games, but you can be sure the former Manchester United man will be raring to go and add to his international record of 12 goals in his last 12 Belgium outings.

Prediction: England 1-2 Belgium