Despite suffering a real scare against Algeria, Belgium go into the second group game with three points to their tally, knowing that a win over Russia would all but secure the first place.

Meanwhile, Sbornaya Komanda came from a goal down to share spoils with Korea Republic, but they will have to show an improvement if they want to get something from this match.

Having gone through the qualifying campaign unbeaten and kept the rich vein of form in warm-up matches, Belgium were tipped to start the tournament with a bang.

Nevertheless, the Red Devils largely struggled to break defence-minded Algeria and only managed to overturn a one-goal deficit in the final stage of the game.

The goals scored by substitutes Fellaini and Mertens showed that big strength in depth could prove to be decisive advantage at the 2014 World Cup, although Belgium will want to avoid another nervy finish when they face Russia.

But, even with their next opponents likely to adopt a similar approach to Algeria, the Red Devils remain 1.95 (19/20) favourites to emerge victorious.

Marouane Fellaini looks set to be left on the bench despite impressing in the first match, but Dries Mertens will have done enough to earn a starting berth.

Captain Vincent Kompany is doubtful with a groin strain and Marc Wilmost has vowed not to take any risks with his star player if he fails to recover in time.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Courtois – Alderweireld, Kompany, van Buyten, Vertonghen – Witsel, Dembele – Mertens, De Bruyne, Hazard – Lukaku.

Even with their league competition getting stronger each year, Russia have largely struggled to prove their worth at tournament finals.

It was for that reason that national team chiefs decided to splash the cash on Fabio Capello, who did well to help Sbornaya Komanda win the first place in their qualifying group ahead of Portugal.

Russia arrived at the tournament in Brazil on the back of a ten-match unbeaten run and they were tipped as the favourites to go through alongside Belgium.

However, Sbornaya Komanda did not impress in their opening fixture, having only shared spoils with Korea Republic, although they did manage to recover from the shocking goal conceded by Igor Akinfeev.

Russia are now widely expected to park the bus when they face group favourites Belgium, which is why betting on under 2.5 goals at 1.75 (3/4) seems like a good idea.

With no fresh injuries to report, Fabio Capello is unlikely to make major changes to his starting line-up for the clash against the Red Devils.

Probable starting line-up (4-5-1): Akinfeev – Eshchenko, Ignashevich, V. Berezutski, D. Kombarov – Samedov, Faizulin, Glushakov, Zhirkov, Shatov – Kokorin.