England vs Belgium: Jamie Vardy to start tonight as Three Lions look to continue strong World Cup against Red Devils
Three Lions striker will make his first-ever World Cup start as debate rages over whether England should top the group or not
JAMIE VARDY is set to start up front for England in a much-changed side to face Belgium tonight.
The Leicester striker, who has scored seven goals in 23 appearances for the Three Lions, has yet to start a game at the World Cup.
This could mean that Harry Kane, who is chasing the Golden Boot, could start on the bench but it is good news for Vardy, 31, who has not given up on a regular starting place.
Southgate will also bring in Eric Dier, Gary Cahill and Danny Rose into his line-up, with Raheem Sterling to be rested.
Debate has been raging over whether England should try and win and top the group, or allow Belgium to top the group.
If England finish top they would face a tougher route to the final after the last-16.
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In the next round England face one of Senegal, Japan or Colombia, depending on how results play out this afternoon.
But if England top Group G, Brazil, Portugal, Uruguay, France, Argentina and Mexico all lie in wait on that side of the draw.
Two of those would need to be beaten for Southgate's men to reach the July 15 final.
Finishing second in Group G would offer a much more gentle route to the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
Southgate's Three Lions would face Sweden or Switzerland in the quarter-final, if they progress, with Spain likely their most difficult opponent in the semi.
Russia, Croatia and Denmark are also on that side of the draw.
England legends Alan Shearer and Ian Wright firmly believe Gareth Southgate has to try and win tonight, even if that means a tough road to Moscow.
Speaking to Shaun Custis, Shearer said: "I’ll tell you how to approach it, the same way as any other game.
"You go out and win it and top the group. Keep the momentum going, keep the players in the groove.
"I’ve never heard anything more ludicrous in all my life than people trying to plot whether we should finish first or second.
"It’s absolute nonsense. Win the group and whoever you face you face."
England NOT trying to finish second
GARETH SOUTHGATE will be making changes for tonight’s game against Belgium but will still be desperate to win.
Do not buy into the theory the Three Lions will be happy to finish second - that is rubbish.
Belgium, who have been together years, may think they can take this approach and clock back together for the knockout stages despite a poor result, but England's inexperienced squad needs to keep piecing together decent results regardless of who is playing.
As Southgate said yesterday, England have not won a knockout game at a major tournament since 2006, so anyone plotting a route to the semi-finals are making a mistake.
England could enjoy a fantasy ride to the last four or equally, could get knocked out in the last-16 whether they finish first or second tonight.
This will be a good chance for Jamie Vardy - along with Danny Rose and Eric Dier.
They will be absolutely desperate to take their chance of a lifetime, start their first ever World Cup match and prove to Southgate they should be starting the next game.
The other thing to remember is that Southgate - with his changes - obviously has one eye on the last-16.
Because if England do win the group, they will have 24 hours less to prepare for the game. Southgate’s squad will return home to Repino in the early hours of tomorrow morning and will be flying down to Rostov on Sunday afternoon.
Also, while the temperature here in Kaliningrad is similar to Repino, the conditions in Rostov will be 32C - much hotter.
As a result, Southgate will want players fresh so I understand that.
Regardless, I still believe tonight’s game against Belgium could be an interesting match and still believe it is worth watching.
And at some stage, I am sure we will see Harry Kane given the chance to further his goals tally and edge nearer to the Golden Boot.
By Charlie Wyett
Shearer's views are echoed by Ian Wright, too, who thinks playing for anything except a win is impossible.
Wrighty said: "How do you play a game not trying to win? I’m not interested in what Roberto Martinez wants to do and rest a few.
"We’ve just got to go and win. I don’t like people even talking about it, it’s just negative."
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The England boss started the week planning to make just three changes but has decided to switch the line-up further after discovering that Belgium could make even more.
Roberto Martinez has hinted he could rest up to ten players, with Premier League stars Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne definitely out.
Yet Southgate has already insisted he is keen to keep the squad happy and give players some game time over the tournament.
England are ahead of Belgium in the group having received one less yellow card. The two nations have the same number of points and conceded and scored the same number of goals.
If England and Belgium do end up with identical records then lots will be drawn to decide who finishes first and second.
The draw would be made at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow at about 9pm tonight.