Belgium Vs France
FIFA World Cup Russia: Knockout Phase, Third Place Play-off
Saint Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Saturday, 13 July 2018        10:00AM EST        FOX

The Third Place Play-off, the match pundits say no player and no nation wants to play in.  To some extent they’re right.  When nations such as Belgium and England have advanced this deep into the tournament, knowing that only one more win will unlock a World Cup Final berth, and then they lose, its sheer disappointment.  The last thing that players are thinking in the immediate aftermath is having to trot back out onto the pitch to play a match that really has zero bearing on the World Cup.  However, I believe this Third Place game provides the Red Devils and Three Lions with the opportunity to pick themselves back up, end this tournament on a high note, and collect a third place medal.  Ultimately, when players from the winning side of this match take a look at their bronze medal, say 30 years from now, it’ll be a positive reminder of what they achieved in Russia 2018.  Yes, they may not have won the grand prize, but that doesn’t diminish the excellence in which they’ve played at for the maximum seven matches within this famed competition.  A sense of pride will take ahold of them then, it’s just in the moment, in the present, this match is agony and torture.

So, as for the action on the pitch, it’s a match that’ll be somewhat of an EPL fixture.  9 players that are expected to play for Belgium, as well as all 13 players (if you include the 4th sub for ET) for England, ply their trade in the Premier League.  Thus, both sides will be well versed in each others strengths and weaknesses.  On paper, Belgium are the favorites thanks to a senior laded squad, as well as possessing top-class creative talents in Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard.  However, don’t sleep on England.  The Three Lions have been a gritty bunch of lads through the tournament, and when you have Harry Kane, you always have a chance of winning the match.  In the end, I believe that attitude will play as big of a role as the quality on the pitch in deciding the winner of this Third Place fixture.  The team that comes in hungry and motived to win will likely be the winners, regardless of  talent, unlike the squads that we so often see in this match, a side that is still shrugging its shoulders, not having moved on from losing the semifinal.

LSB Prediction:  It truly is a devastating feeling to lose the semifinal.  Whether it’s Belgium whom had just beaten favorites Brazil in the quarterfinals, to then drop a level in form against France.  Or England, a nation that’s steeped in footballing tradition, but hasn’t hoisted the Jules Rimet since the 60’s, and loses this year in heartbreaking fashion to Croatia in extra time.  It’s a gut punch.  But who’ll bounce back today?  Who’ll lick their wounds?  Who’ll pick themselves back up form the canvas and produce a spirited performance today?  For me, I think it’s Belgium.  They have more to prove in this tournament.  This is a senior side, with a lot of quality and a lot pride.  I except them to come out and be the utmost professionals today, en route to picking up a bronze medal.  As for England, losing in the fashion that they did on Wednesday, and possessing the second youngest squad in the tournament, I just feel that there’ll be a hang over of sorts.  But, ultimately the Three Lions should feel proud of finishing fourth, having reached a semifinal for the first time in decades. 3-1 Belgium