Spain vs Belgium Predicted Lineups & Team News

Pre-tournament favourites Spain have the tricky assignment of Belgium in the quarter-finals of the World Cup. La Roja stumbled early in a 0-0 draw with Cape Verde, but as the minnows went on to confound expectations, Spain started winning. Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Austria and Portugal have all been beaten without the Euro 2024 winners conceding a goal.

Belgium have been perennial ‘dark horse’ picks over the last decade, but have yet to reach the final of a major tournament. Throwback performances from golden generation bruiser Romelu Lukaku have brought shellackings of New Zealand and co-hosts the USA. But who will line up for the Red Devils against Spain? Read on for our Spain vs Belgium predicted lineups and team news.

Spain

An adductor injury has blunted the influence of Nico Williams, though the Athletic Club starlet is expected to make the bench. 

Striker Mikel Oyarzabal is nailed-on to start up top, aiming to add to his four tournament goals thus far.

Mikel Merino is in contention for a start in midfield, after the midfielder’s late, late show handed La Roja the win over Portugal.

But Luis de la Fuente has been steadfast in his selections so far, so don’t expect him to reinvent the wheel for this latest challenge.

Belgium

Napoli midfielder and Belgium legend Kevin De Bruyne is the source of much debate. The ex-Man City man scored in the 5-1 rout of New Zealand. But manager Rudi Garcia dropped the playmaker for the 4-1 win over the USA in the round of 32. The current mood seems to suggest a return, despite the Red Devils excelling against their American opposition.

Lukaku has excelled as a super-sub at this tournament. This leads me to expect Atalanta’s Charles De Ketelaere to continue as the false-nine with the ex-Chelsea and Manchester United hitman employed off the bench.

Amadou Onana suffered an ACL injury in Monday’s win over the USA, which opens up a midfield slot for Hans Vanaken and Nicolas Raskin to compete for.

Remember you can bet on this match and check out all of the live Spain vs Belgium odds over on betfred.com

Rodri (Spain)

The Ballon d’Or winner is the bedrock of this Spain side. While Oyarzabal bags and Lamine Yamal dazzles, the awareness, precision passing and intelligence of Rodri is the heartbeat of the operation.

Premier League followers saw how a team can crumble without a player in the Rodri mold, as Manchester City did during the Spaniard’s injury. La Roja are a far better team with Rodri on the pitch.

Romelu Lukaku (Belgium)

It is unusual to pick a player who is unlikely to start, but the Napoli hitman has bagged three goals for Belgium at this World Cup off the subs bench.

Maligned during his passable spell at Manchester United and ropey return to Chelsea; Lukaku is a different player altogether in the red of Belgium. Garcia usually opts to start De Ketelaere in a false nine role, before breaking glass and retrieving his burly goalscorer Lukaku.

Spain will have to beware because, even if they get a handle on Belgium early doors, there is always the lingering threat of a change of approach. Any such shift will be spearheaded by the introduction of Romelu Lukaku.

Spain vs Belgium Predicted Lineups

Spain: Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal 

Belgium: Courtois; Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper; Vanaken, Tielemans; Lukebakio, De Bruyne, Trossard; De Ketelaere

For all of our coverage and betting markets for the festival of football this summer, please check out our World Cup Odds over on betfred.com