Sports Mole provides predicted lineups, team news and a full match preview of the World Cup Group G match between Belgium and Panama. Belgium head into their World Cup Group G opener against minnows Panama hoping to make a statement of intent to justify their tag as one of the favourites to lift the trophy in Russia. The Panamanians, meanwhile, are making their maiden appearance at the tournament proper and will be aiming to give a good account of themselves by avoiding a heavy defeat on the global stage. Belgium © Reuters Belgium manager Roberto Martinez is a man under pressure, despite losing only one match in charge of the national team since his tenure began in 2016. With a squad comprising some of the world's most talented players, the Spaniard has a huge task on his hands succeeding where his predecessors have failed. The Red Devils aced their qualifying group, winning all but one of their 10 matches to top the pile with 28 points, nine more than runners-up Greece. Fast-paced, attacking football has been the driving force behind their success, and the Belgians netted a whopping 43 goals on the road to Russia, more than any other European nation. Martinez has world-class quality at his disposal across the pitch, from Chelsea's Thibaut Courtois in goal to Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku up front. Former Everton man Lukaku was in solid form during qualifying, racking up 11 goals in 10 matches, while Chelsea's Eden Hazard was also a key figure, providing six goals and five assists. Belgium have maintained their unbeaten run in their World Cup warm-up fixtures, winning four out of six friendly matches and conceding just one in their last five games. They head into the match against Panama off the back of a 4-1 demolition of Costa Rica, who came through the same CONCACAF qualifying group as the Red Devils' Group G opponents. Recent form: DWWDWW Panama © Reuters Panama have been dubbed the weakest team in the tournament on paper and are thus tipped to end up on the wrong side of a heavy defeat against the Belgians. Their greatest strength is arguably their manager Hernan Gomez, who is the only member of their camp with prior World Cup experience, having coached Colombia and Ecuador at the finals in 1998 and 2002 respectively. Los Canaleros have already defied the odds by qualifying for Russia, booking their place there at the expense of the United States in dramatic fashion. The CONCACAF qualifying zone went down to the wire, with Gomez's men producing an 87th-minute winner to defeat Costa Rica, while the US lost to Trinidad and Tobago, to secure their spot in the finals. The World Cup debutants have played eight friendlies since qualifying and won only two of those. Goals have been a problem for the Central Americans, as they have netted just one in their last five international outings, which include a 1-0 loss to Norway, a goalless draw with Northern Ireland and a 6-0 clobbering at the hands of Switzerland. Panama were dealt a major setback while preparing for Russia when their star player, winger Alberto Quintero, was ruled out of the tournament through injury, forcing Gomez to call up KAA Gent's Ricardo Avila in his place. Without Quintero, any result beyond a heavy defeat would be considered a feat against the Belgians. Recent form: DLLWDL Team News © Reuters Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany is likely to be benched for Belgium's opener due to concerns over his fitness, with Laurent Ciman of Los Angeles FC touted as a possible replacement at centre-back. Michy Batshuayi is also an injury concern for Martinez and may be left out of the squad entirely. The Red Devils are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Lukaku operating as a lone striker with support from Hazard and Napoli's Dries Mertens. Meanwhile, Panama may be forced to gamble on the fitness of centre-back Roman Torres, due to a lack of viable replacements, while Avila is likely to be handed a key midfield role. Gomez has a selection headache up front, with both Gabriel Torres and veteran Blas Perez pushing for a start in their attack. Belgium possible starting lineup: Courtois; Alderweireld, Ciman, Vertonghen; Meunier, Carrasco, Witsel, De Bruyne; Mertens, Eden Hazard; Lukaku Panama possible starting lineup: Penedo; R. Torres, Escobar, Machado, Ovalle, Murillo; Gomez, Avila, Barcenas, Godoy; G. Torres Head To Head This will be the first time that Belgium and Panama have played against each other. We say: Belgium 5-0 Panama Not only would it be a shock if Belgium fail to defeat one of the World Cup's lowest-ranked sides, it would also be a surprise if they failed to do so by a significant margin. The likes of Lukaku, Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne will prove too much for a Panama team that have shipped seven goals and netted only one in their last four matches.<doc-sep>UPDATE: Belgium have announced their starting lineup. Belgium XI vs Panama: Thibaut Courtois, Toby Alderweireld, Dedryck Boyata, Jan Vertonghen, Thomas Meunier, Axel Witsel, Kevin De Bruyne, Yannick Carrasco, Dries Mertens, Eden Hazard (C), Romelu Lukaku. The 2018 World Cup now enters the final stages of the first round of group stage games and "dark horses" Belgium kick off their campaign in Russia against Panama. On paper, Belgium have one of the best squads at the World Cup. However, they did have high hopes in 2014 before a quarter-final exit at the hands of Argentina saw their tournament come to a premature end. Belgium even managed to top the much-debated FIFA rankings in recent years so the onus is on them to impress and go far this time. Unless you take into account what goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said prior to their first game. Although they are confident, they do not count themselves among the favourites. "To call us big favourites I wouldn't do. We are outsiders but we have a chance to go far. We believe in that chance. We aren't going to say we are going to win or [are the] best team, but we have belief." - Courtois at the pre-match press conference What he did also stress on was that it was no longer down to one individual such as Eden Hazard to lead the side to victory. The Red Devils have a very strong squad this time with more matured players from back to front such as Jan Vertonghen, Kevin De Bruyne, and Romelu Lukaku their biggest and most reliable stars. How will Belgium line up against Panama? Roberto Martinez is under pressure to deliver with a very talented squad Under coach Roberto Martinez, Belgium topped their qualification group with an exceptional attack where they won nine out of 10 games, drawing the other. Without a single loss, they also scored 43 goals, conceding only six. Also read: Roberto Martinez bringing perfection to Belgium Belgium will line up with a 3-4-3 formation. In goal is the ever-dependable giant frame of Thibaut Courtois. Both Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen are unfit and neither are expected to start this game. Therefore, the three-man defence will see Dedryck Boyata flanked by Jan Vertonghen on the left and Toby Alderweireld on the right. The wing-backs employed will be Yannick Carrasco on the left and Thomas Meunier on the right. The midfield will see Axel Witsel play in a conservative role while Kevin De Bruyne will be given license to go forward in attack. De Bruyne has evolved from a classic no.10 to a deep-lying playmaker at Manchester City and Martinez has done well to give him a similar role in the national setup as well. The front three will see Eden Hazard on the left Dries Mertens on the right supporting the big man Romelu Lukaku up front. Michy Batshuayi has also had a decent season after his loan move to Borussia Dortmund but he will be the backup striker. Belgium XI and Formation Belgium's Predicted XI vs Panama Note: This article was updated after the starting lineup was announced. What do you think the result will be? Let us know in the comments below.<doc-sep>
AFTER losing to Wales in their last tournament outing, Belgium will want to make a statement in Sochi. Roberto Martinez’s men have smashed 64 goals in a 19-match unbeaten run - and will hope for another hatful against Panama. 5 Belgium take on Panama in the opening game of Group G The Central American side are ranked 52 places below the Red Devils but will be buzzing to be here, having dramatically qualified for their first World Cup ahead of the USA. THE NATION EXPECTS: Anything other than a resounding win for Belgium and fans will fear another tournament failure with their golden generation. Panama supporters are not expecting much out of this one - but will look for their team to at least frustrate Eden Hazard and Co. KEY BATTLES/STAR MEN: Hazard is Belgium’s captain and leads from the front. He looked in the form of his life in recent friendlies and will take some stopping. That task will go to his rival skipper, Roman Torres, who is a hero in his homeland having scored the goal which sent Panama to Russia. 5 Chelsea's Eden Hazard is expected to be the main man for Roberto Martinez's team 5 Red Devils go into the game as one of the favourites for the tournament WEAK LINKS: With Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen injured, Celtic centre-half Dedryck Boyata will be in the middle of Belgium’s three-man defence and could be targeted. Forward-thinking left wing-back Yannick Carrasco also leaves holes at the back. However, Panama scored just nine goals in ten qualifying games and offer little going forward. LIKELY LINE-UPS AND TEAM TALKS: Kompany (groin) will not be fit until the England game at the earliest, with Vermaelen (hamstring) also out, so Boyata takes his place in what is otherwise Martinez’s first-choice side. Belgium likely (3-4-3): Courtois; Alderweireld, Boyata, Vertonghen; Meunier, De Bruyne, Witsel, Carrasco; Mertens, Lukaku, Hazard. 5 Martinez's team will want to right the wrongs of Euro 2016 when they were eliminated by Wales 5 Panama's Roman Torres is their most dangerous man Credit: AFP or licensors Captain Torres is fit enough to start following a hamstring injury. Winger Alberto Quintero was ruled out of the tournament on Wednesday with a foot fracture. Panama likely (4-1-4-1): Penedo; Davis, Escobar, R.Torres, Murillo; Gomez; Barcenas, Godoy, Cooper, Rodriguez; Perez. BEST BET: Bank on Belgium to score three or more goals with Lukaku to score at any time. PREM TSAR IN THE MAKING: Dries Mertens is a key player for Belgium and one of the most popular with their fans. If his ex-Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri takes over at Chelsea, you could see him taking the forward with him to Stamford Bridge. THE STAT THAT MATTERS: Belgium are unbeaten in their last nine World Cup group games - winning each of their last four. This may be Panama’s first World Cup but it is their managers third - he bossed Colombia in 1998 and Ecuador in 2002.