Belgium: The 'Red Devils' are expected to recall all their big guns after naming a much-changed side for the win over England. Striker Romelu Lukaku is said to be "fully fit" after an ankle problem, whilst Vincent Kompany could come in for Dedryk Boyata at centre-back after coming on as a sub against the 'Three Lions'.
Japan: Captain Makoto Hasebe, winger Takashi Inui and striker Yuya Osako are all expected to return to the side after they were rested against Poland, though back-up striker Shinji Okazaki is a doubt with an ankle injury of his own.
Belgium boss Roberto Martinez:
"We played a very entertaining game in Bruges not long ago.
"There's been a change of coach but not a real change in the squad. They're very well organised, dynamic... technically, Japanese football is very strong and we expect a really competitive team. There won't be any big surprises.
"To be successful in a World Cup is not about facing the opponent that everyone expects is going to be giving you the golden key to go through.
"I don't think that in the World Cup you can be successful by trying to hope to get an easy path. We saw that in the Euros two years ago."
Japan boss Akira Nishino:
"Japan had fantastic performances to reach the round of 16 (in 2002 and 2010), but those teams were exhausted by that stage, there wasn't anything left, especially in 2002.
"This is the third time. We have been very tactical to get to this stage, especially in the third match.
"We don't have much room to manoeuvre, but we can be aggressive. We have the spirit and mentality. Maybe Belgium feel the tournament is starting after their three wins, but I'd like to feel we are on a par with them. We have played to our best, but the players have something more to offer.
"It can't be just the sum of individual powers, otherwise we might not be able to overcome them."
Form:
Did you know?
- Belgium have won only one of their five encounters with Japan (D2 L2), although that came in their last meeting in November 2017 (1-0, goal by Romelu Lukaku).
- Belgium scored more goals than any other team in this year’s World Cup group stages (9). They were also one of three teams to win all three of their games (with Croatia and Uruguay).
- Belgium are unbeaten in their last 22 games (W17 D5), their last defeat dating back to September 2016 against Spain (0-2). As of the end of the group stages, only Spain were on a longer run amongst the 32 teams at the 2018 World Cup (23 games).
- Romelu Lukaku has scored 23 goals in 20 appearances for Belgium under manager Roberto Martinez, scoring four goals from four shots on target at this year’s World Cup. Alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, he was the only player in the group stages to score with his right foot, left foot and head.
- Since 2010, Keisuke Honda has scored (four) or assisted (three) seven of Japan's last 10 goalsat the World Cup. He has one goal and one assist to his name at the 2018 tournament despite playing only 38 minutes.
Possible lineups:
Belgium: Courtois; Alderweireld, Kompany, Vertonghen; Meunier, De Bruyne, Witsel, Carrasco; Mertens, Lukaku, Hazard.
Japan: Kawashima; Sakai, Yoshida, Shoji, Nagatomo; Hasebe, Shibasaki; Haraguchi, Kagawa, Inui; Osako.