MATCH THREAD: GROUP E - Belgium vs Rep. of Ireland - KO 14:00 (ITV)

[ijjysmith]

vs

Belgium duo Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne both missed training earlier this week but are expected to play.

Romelu Lukaku's place as Belgium's lone forward is most under threat should coach Marc Wilmots decide to make changes from the side beaten by Italy.

Republic of Ireland will be without Jonathan Walters, who has been ruled out after aggravating an Achilles injury against Sweden.

There are no other reported injuries for Martin O'Neill's side.

The Republic of Ireland will have been fuming to draw their opening game with Sweden but encouraged by a fine performance. Belgium, after their lacklustre display in defeat to Italy, are simply fuming.

Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois criticised head coach Marc Wilmots in a post-match interview, saying Italy had "tactically outclassed us." Midfielder Radja Nainggolan was caught gesturing behind his coach's back after being substituted. Both men were spoken to by Wilmots on their journey back to the northern Bordeaux training base.

Like Wilmots, Republic of Ireland defender Ciaran Clark has found himself under the spotlight after own goal against Sweden last Monday. Yet unlike their rivals, there has been a united front in support of their man in focus.

 

[carlos21]

vs

Belgium duo Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne both missed training earlier this week but are expected to play.

Romelu Lukaku's place as Belgium's lone forward is most under threat should coach Marc Wilmots decide to make changes from the side beaten by Italy.

Republic of Ireland will be without Jonathan Walters, who has been ruled out after aggravating an Achilles injury against Sweden.

There are no other reported injuries for Martin O'Neill's side.

The Republic of Ireland will have been fuming to draw their opening game with Sweden but encouraged by a fine performance. Belgium, after their lacklustre display in defeat to Italy, are simply fuming.

Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois criticised head coach Marc Wilmots in a post-match interview, saying Italy had "tactically outclassed us." Midfielder Radja Nainggolan was caught gesturing behind his coach's back after being substituted. Both men were spoken to by Wilmots on their journey back to the northern Bordeaux training base.

Like Wilmots, Republic of Ireland defender Ciaran Clark has found himself under the spotlight after own goal against Sweden last Monday. Yet unlike their rivals, there has been a united front in support of their man in focus.

Come one Belgium please.

 

[dublinbluenose]

KOFF Belgium

Smash these wheat beer loving biffs

COYBIG

 

[Eggs]

...I'd be chuffed if Ireland win but fear Belgium can't be as bad as their first game.

 

[wm02]

Come on Ireland! Think there's a result there for the taking of Belgium continue play without cohesion and a team mentality. Too many big egos in that squad

 

[jaycee]

I hope the Republic hammer them,want them N.Ireland and Wales to qualify for the next set of matches

 

[MikeEFC1878x]

ireland win, Lukaku wont be able to score vs a defence of clark oshea and keogh chasing his first touch all around france

 

[Khalekan]

The Big Lad dropped by Belgium.

 

[Bluekahunaburgers]

Ward the weak link at left back. Hopeful of a draw here.

 

[Ash Woods]

So we need Ireland to knock Belgium out the competition and thus remove gobshite from the media attention

 

[LinekersLegs]

Lovely pass by Ward

 

[TyphooToffee]

I wonder how many players on show here will be at Everton next season? McCarthy, Coleman, Long and Witsel?

 

[ijjysmith]

I wonder how many players on show here will be at Everton next season? Long and Witsel perhaps?

2

 

[Zezti]

If Rom is shocking in this game, I doubt we'd be getting 60m for him any time soon.
Which is good, because I want to keep him.

 

[TyphooToffee]

2

Edited to add McCarthy and Coleman