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Predicting the XI: How Belgium should line up at Euro 2016

Reuters

With Euro 2016 fast approaching, theScore is taking a fine-tooth comb to a handful of marquee squads, offering our humble opinion on who should make up the starting XI for Germany, France, Spain, England, Belgium, and Italy - the six favourites to hoist the trophy this summer. Who starts, who sits, who gets left home, and, most importantly, why.

Here we examine the options at the disposal of Belgium boss Marc Wilmots.

theScore's starting XI

Starting the year as the No. 1 nation in the world, Belgium is set in every position. The front men are as strong as any in the Euros, and the defence is stacked with some of the Premier League's finest.

Thibaut​ Courtois

Despite being just 23-year-old, Thibaut Courtois has veteran experience, winning both La Liga and the Premier League in recent years as a starter.

His three-season loan at Atletico Madrid offered him a guarantee of first-team football, but instead it turned into a bargain for the Spanish side. It was there that he realised his potential as a world-class goalkeeper.

His success at Chelsea hit a snag this season: Apart from the results, Courtois also suffered a knee injury that kept him out of action for months. But he said recently that he feels more comfortable behind the Belgium defence, and that could bring stability to the end of a tough year.

Toby Alderweireld

The 27-year-old Tottenham centre-back has emerged as one of the Premier League's best defenders, showing poise on the ball, patience off it, and an altogether calm demeanour. He is a big reason why Spurs have conceded the fewest number of goals (24) in the campaign this season, but such is the makeup of the Belgian backline that he will have to take comfort in the right-back position.

Not that it is a total inconvenience for Alderweireld, he is a full-back by trade, having been deployed in that role at Ajax and Southampton.

"I am very fortunate to have had the education at Ajax," he told the Mirror. "I am a defender, but I can play the ball. I have good technique."

Nicolas Lombaerts

Rated as one of the best central defenders in the history of Zenit St Petersburg, Nicolas Lombaerts isn't necessarily showered with praise from the rest of the Western world. He has stationed himself in Russia since 2007, becoming a pillar for title-winning teams. He is strong in the air and physical on the ball, as he demonstrated in Champions League fixtures against Benfica.

He has had several partners in defence and coaches at Zenit, but his performances haven't changed. He is a reliable and experienced centre-back who is perfect for a major tournament like the Euros.

Vincent Kompany

A calf injury has sidelined Vincent Kompany for much of the season, and it was the source of controversy in the middle of the campaign. Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini didn't appreciate his captain leaving for international duty in October, and he came back even worse for wear.

Kompany is now back in the gym, and barring any setback, he will wear the armband for Belgium this summer. He is just as invaluable to his country as he is to his club, as the Red Devils conceded just two goals in their last five competitive matches with Kompany in the starting lineup.

"Vincent is an important player for us because he is quick, and with him we can play a high line," coach Wilmots told The Times. "But he has to listen to his body."

Jan Vertonghen

Before suffering a knee injury in January, Jan Vertonghen had formed the Premier League's best defensive partnership with Alderweireld. But Wilmots would probably separate the two on international duty, with Vertonghen on the left flank. He isn't as adventurous as domestic partner Alderweireld, instead opting for a safer style of play.

He isn't a natural full-back either - he grew frustrated playing out of position under Andre-Villas Boas in 2013 - but his left-footedness allows him that flexibility.

Mousa Dembele

After failing to keep a spot in the Tottenham lineup last season, Mousa Dembele has become the club's midfield maestro. His 90.3 passing percentage ranks third among Premier League players, an indication of Dembele's role as the linchpin of one of the surprising outfits in the division.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has relied on the 28-year-old to distribute the ball and maintain a flow of movement, with high-octane football usually on display at White Hart Lane. Axel Witsel will vie for the same midfield position, but Wilmots could select Dembele ahead of the Zenit pivot for creative reasons alone.

Radja Nainggolan

What you see is what you get: Radja Nainggolan looks mean, and he plays mean. He is a tenacious midfielder with a propensity for the odd goal. He provides the brawn, but Nainggolan himself isn't so clumsy on the ball. He allows his Roma teammates, like Miralem Pjanic, the time and space to roam about the pitch, but Nainggolan can eat up just as much.

The 27-year-old plays with a lot of energy, and although he can channel it the wrong way - his tackles can literally break a leg - he is the kind of ruthless dynamo that can jump-start a game.

Kevin De Bruyne

Yet another of Belgium's stars on the sidelines is Kevin De Bruyne, who sustained a knee injury in January. De Bruyne, too, is expected to return before Euro 2016.

De Bruyne's pace on the right wing is an obvious trait, but it is his playmaking ability that truly sets him apart from the competition. His passes reach their destination at quick and precise speed, and his runs are timed perfectly.

Despite being absent for the past two months, De Bruyne is still only second to David Silva with nine assists among City players.

Eden Hazard

Eden Hazard is probably the only one in the starting XI who deserves a spot based on reputation alone. It is certainly not his exploits since August that inspire confidence. Hazard hasn't yet scored a Premier League goal, with questions over his attitude raising doubts about his future at Chelsea.

But he is such a wild card that Wilmots must consider him, especially in such a short-term capacity. If Hazard wants to secure a big-money move to another European powerhouse, he will have to perform well in France.

Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco

The early part of the campaign didn't bode well for Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco. After securing a move to Atletico from AS Monaco, the 22-year-old struggled to earn minutes under Diego Simeone, exclusively making his appearances as a super substitute. But Carrasco is now a part of the starting lineup, with Jackson Martinez moving out of the frame and Carrasco embracing a false-nine role at times.

His impact on the wings is just as mighty: He can run behind the defence and add another dimension to the attack.

Romelu Lukaku

An ambitious striker used to carrying the load at the tip of the formation, Romelu Lukaku will enter this summer's tournament on the heels of his best performances. His 25 goals for Everton make up his greatest single-season total to date and he is already starting to consider a step up in the Champions League.

"I think we've seen a very consistent footballer for the last 12 months," manager Roberto Martinez said earlier this season. "He's been a striker with a lot of responsibility in the team, a focal point with a terrific goal-scoring ratio, but the assists and everything he is doing in the final third is as good as it gets in the league."

Substitutes

Michy Batshuayi and Witsel will do their best to challenge for a spot in the starting XI, especially the Marseille striker, who is courting interest from Europe's top leagues after scoring 21 goals in all competitions for the Ligue 1 club.

Goalkeepers: Simon Mignolet (Liverpool), Jean-Francois Gillet (Mechelen)

Defenders: Jason Denayer (Galatasaray/Manchester City), Thomas Vermaelen (Barcelona), Jordan Lukaku (Oostende), Laurent Ciman (Montreal Impact)

Midfielders: Witsel (Zenit), Dries Mertens (Napoli), Nacer Chadli (Tottenham)

Forwards: Michy Batshuayi (Marseille), Divock Origi (Liverpool), Christian Benteke (Liverpool)

Left home

The likes of Kevin Mirallas and Adnan Januzaj will miss out on the Euros altogether. Neither player has found consistent minutes this season. The 18-year-old phenom Youri Tielemans, meanwhile, will have to blame inexperience for missing out on his first major international tournament.

Goalkeepers: Matz Sels (Gent)

Defenders: Thomas Meunier (Club Brugge), Luis Pedro Cavanda (Trabzonspor), Anthony Vanden Borre (Anderlecht), Olivier Deschacht (Anderlecht)

Midfielders: Steven Defour (Anderlecht), Youri Tielemans (Anderlecht), Thorgan Hazard (Monchengladbach)

Forwards: Kevin Mirallas (Everton), Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United)

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