Belgium’s last loss came in a friendly against Spain back in September of 2016. Since then, the Belgians are undefeated over their last 20 games, amassing a 15-5-0 record over that stretch. The team will try to earn another win this Thursday when it meets England in the two teams’ final match of the group stage.
England vs. Belgium odds 2018: Betting line tight for World Cup Group G finale matchup
The winner of Thursday’s England vs. Belgium game will lock up the top spot in Group G, with the sportsbooks siding slightly with the English on the odds for the contest.
Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images
Belgium is a slight underdog at +190 to defeat England at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. England is going off as a +160 favorite to win the match while a draw between the two teams would pay +210.
Group G: England vs. Belgium
When: Thursday, June 28, 2:00 p.m. ET
Where: Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad, Russia
Betting Line / Total: England +160 / 2.5 Goals
In the weeks leading up to this game, Belgium was a +155 favorite over England at +190. While England deserves some of the credit for the line change with its solid play thus far in this year’s World Cup, an ankle injury suffered by superstar striker Romelu Lukaku has likely had an even bigger impact.
With a spot in the next round already locked up thanks to a 2-0 record through the first two games of the tournament, Belgium would be wise to take a conservative approach with their top player and either limit his action or even keep him out of the game completely. The team’s manager has even hinted that bench players may have the chance to get some game time.
Like Belgium, England has been in top form of late with four straight wins and an unbeaten streak of 9-3 over the team’s last 12 games. Harry Kane has been phenomenal in this tournament, overtaking Cristiano Ronaldo as the World Cup’s top goal scorer with five goals after scoring a hat trick in England’s 6-1 victory over Panama.
In what already figured to be a fairly even matchup, Kane being in top form and Lukaku being sidelined or limited could make all the difference.
Thursday’s total is set at 2.5 goals. Each of Belgium’s last four games and three of England’s last four games have gone OVER 2.5 goals.
England and Belgium have both earned their spots in the knockout round with brilliant play in the group stage, outscoring their opponents 8-2 en route to 2-0 records. But after taking care of business against the group’s lesser teams, these two dark horse contenders will get a real test on Thursday ahead of the Round of 16.
For more odds information, betting picks and a breakdown of this week’s top World Cup betting news check out the OddsShark FC podcast with Andrew Avery, Rob Trites, and Craig Cormier. Subscribe on iTunes or listen to it at OddsSharkFC.libsyn.com.
By Nate Scott and Kelsey Russo
