Roberto Martinez’s side laboured to a 1-0 win in their tournament opener against Canada before being overwhelmed in a 2-0 defeat to Morocco.
If Canada shock Morocco, Belgium can still progress with a draw depending on the goal difference equation, although they realistically need a win.
Croatia returned to their swaggering best in a 4-1 win from behind against Canada and, with four points from their two matches, can progress with a draw.
Below are the projected lineups for both teams based on the latest news leading up to the match.
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Croatia vs Belgium lineups
Martinez was forced to deny claims of a bust-up involving his senior players after the Morocco game, branding such suggestions to be “fake news”.
RTL Sport reported that Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Jan Vertonghen were involved in a heated exchange, with Romelu Lukaku acting as peacemaker.
“You’ve got some outlets in Belgium who are quite happy to jump on fake news, which is quite astonishing,” Martinez told his pre-match news conference.
“It has made the group more aware that the less they listen to the noise from the outside, the better.”
Irrespective of Trumpian denials, the external noise means any major omissions from Martinez’s lineup will be noted with interest.
Zlatko Dalic is not reading too much into Belgium’s struggles on and off the pitch and the Croatia coach is relishing a high-stakes encounter.
“There is no safety net now. It’s an all-or-nothing match, a crucial encounter for both teams,” he told reporters.
“Belgium did not forget how to play football overnight and we have to be at the highest level. We need a repeat of our performance against Canada.”
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Croatia starting 11
Croatia starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left): 1-Livakovic — 22-Juranovic, 6-Lovren, 20-Gvardiol, 19-Sosa — 10-Modric, 11-Brozovic, 8-Kovacic — 14-Livaja, 9-Kramaric, 4-Perisic
Dalic opted not to refresh his side for this game, which would have allowed his experienced campaigners the chance to have a much-needed break, with Tottenham Hospur winger Ivan Perisic and Luka Modric both retaining their places in an unchanged starting lineup.
Belgium starting 11
Belgium starting lineup (3-4-2-1, right to left): 1-Courtois — 19-Dendoncker, 2-Alderweireld, 5-Vertonghen, — 15-Meunier, 6-Witsel 7-De Bruyne, 21-Castagne — 17-Trossard, 11-Carrasco — 14-Mertens
Martinez has made four changes as his side enter the last-chance saloon.
With Amadou Onana suspended, Leander Dendoncker is recalled and Kevin De Bruyne drops back into central midfield while Leandro Trossard and Yannick Carrasco come in for Eden and Thorgan Hazard. Up front, with Romelu Lukaku still not fit to start despite a cameo off the bench against Morocco, Dries Mertens replaces Michy Batshuayi.
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Croatia vs. Belgium World Cup squads
Here are the names on Croatia and Belgium’s World Cup squads in Qatar (caps correct as of start of Qatar 2022):
