Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku has been tipped to fire the Red Devils ahead in Belgium’s bid to show the global footballing landscape what they’re really all about today when they kick-off their 2018 World Cup campaign against Panama at the Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi. Lukaku netted 11 goals in eight games during the World Cup qualifiers,
It’s fair to say that Belgium boss Roberto Martinez isn’t the most popular Red Devils manager of all time. His tactics have been criticised, he needs to find a way to get the best out of Kevin De Bruyne and there’s concerns that Belgium’s level dips when up against the stronger teams.
But if you look at results alone Martinez has actually done pretty well. The former Everton head coach has only lost one of his 20 games in charge with a 70% win rate- and went through qualification unbeaten, while his team head into the World Cup undefeated in 19 games.
In truth, given the immense quality of the country’s ‘Golden Generation’, Belgium should cruise through their first two games, although they are likely to be without the defensive duo of Vincent Kompany due to groin injury and Thomas Vermaelen due to hamstring, but star man Eden Hazard is expected to start after recovering from a minor injury and could potentially run riot on Monday afternoon.