Group E could be one of the most exciting pools of the opening phase at Euro 2016, and it features one of the leading fancies, Belgium. Today, our tactics expert Adrian Clarke runs us through what to expect from Les Diables Rouges…

Belgium squad

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea), Jean-Francois Gillet (Mechelen), Simon Mignolet (Liverpool).

Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham), Jason Denayer (Galatasaray), Jordan Lukaku (Oostende), Thomas Meunier (Club Brugge), Thomas Vermaelen (Barcelona), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham), Laurent Ciman (Montreal Impact), Christian Kabasele (Genk)

Midfielders: Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United), Radja Nainggolan (Roma), Axel Witsel (Zenit St Petersburg)

Forwards: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Moussa Dembele (Tottenham), Dries Mertens (Napoli), Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid), Michy Batshuayi (Marseille), Christian Benteke (Liverpool), Romelu Lukaku (Everton), Divock Origi (Liverpool).

How they qualified: Topped Group B with seven wins, two draws and a loss

Euros record

1972 - Third

1980 - Runners-up

1984 - Group Stage

2000 - Group Stage

Style

Belgium never came close to fulfilling their potential at the 2014 World Cup. Fielding a selection of stellar names, their slow build-up play was surprisingly stilted and dull to watch.

Since that disappointment, they’ve become easier on the eye. With team spirit improving, and youngsters like Romelu Lukaku developing apace, they now play with greater freedom and attacking intent.

Coach Marc Wilmots doesn’t often deviate from a 4-2-3-1 formation. In midfield, he prefers two defensive players - with Roma’s tough tackling Radja Nainggolan an especially influential presence - and a trio of exceptionally creative stars ahead of them. The engine room is an area they’re capable of controlling.

Providing the width, Eden Hazard, Dries Mertens and Yannick Carrasco will seek to run amok down the flanks.

Strengths

This is Belgian football’s Golden Generation, so strength in depth is their finest asset. Everywhere you look, they have quality in abundance.

Wilmots is likely to start with Lukaku in attack, but the presence of Christian Benteke plus in-form youngsters Michy Batshuayi and Divock Origi, means there’s serious competition for just one spot. This should ensure there’s no complacency.

Don’t underestimate the importance of club friendships either. Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool have three representatives apiece, and Chelsea provide two of their best players. On and off the pitch, these close relationships will aid Belgium’s cause.

This team has brawn and beauty in equal measure - and should injuries bite, the back-ups are strong enough to cope.

Weaknesses

Skipper Vincent Kompany is one of three Belgian central defenders crocked for Euro 2016, and that’s a concern because the team hasn’t defended with conviction for quite some time. In their last nine international contests, just one clean sheet has been earned.

Needing to score two or more goals to win matches at Euro 2016 will heap unwanted pressure on the forwards.

The squad is also strangely bereft of decent attacking fullbacks. Jordan Lukaku, 21, (brother of Romelu) is the most adventurous option, and is pushing for a start, but we expect Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, to be used out wide on occasion.

At times, Belgium can look like they have two teams within a team. The defence stays deep. The forwards do their thing.

It’s vital they find better cohesion and fluidity over the coming weeks.

Form

Match winners Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne ended 2015-16 in scintillating form and that’s great news ahead of the tournament.

Ranked second in the FIFA ladder behind Argentina, results have been very solid too. And now that they have won 11 of their last 13 matches, Belgium will cross the border with understandable confidence.

A well-deserved 2-1 victory in Switzerland last weekend outlined their credentials.

Star Man – Eden Hazard

Having taken most of the season off (I jest!), there’s a feeling the stand-in captain is ready to re-announce himself as one of the continent’s best players. Since scoring the stunning goal for Chelsea that denied Spurs the Premier League title, Hazard has looked much more like his old self.

The 25-year-old’s ability to gracefully drift inside from the left makes him a headache for anyone charged with the task of marking him. And back in the country where he made a name for himself with Lille, the scene is set nicely for Hazard to remind us what a gifted schemer he is.

When he’s gliding past opponents, Hazard is one of the best players in Europe to watch.

Chief Influence – Kevin de Bruyne

At 24, De Bruyne has stepped out of the shadows to be a genuine main man. Delivering goals and assists, the Manchester City star is currently one of the most effectual playmakers on the planet.

Wilmots prefers him in a free role in behind his principle striker, rather than out wide, and this provides the team with more penetration in central areas. Excellent when running with the ball, and capable of scoring from outside the box, De Bruyne’s new position has added fresh zest.

If opponents give him room to run and shoot, he’ll destroy them. De Bruyne can be one of the stars of the tournament.

Top Prospect - Michy Batshuayi

On the back of a barnstorming campaign with Marseille, the kid they call “Batsman” is primed to add to his fast-growing reputation this summer.

The 22-year-old’s best traits are speed and two-footedness. He can accelerate past defenders, before finishing with the kind of serenity we associate with experienced forwards.

The powerful striker has also taken to international football with ease, scoring twice in six appearances. Strong, skilful and confident, his role could develop from impact sub to starter in the coming weeks.

The Boss – Marc Wilmots

Wilmots may have recently steered Belgium to the top of the world rankings, but he’s still under huge pressure to deliver at Euro 2016. Can the 47-year-old inspire this gifted group to glory? Or is he lacking the tactical inspiration to maximize a squad that’s capable of going all the way?

Modelling his style on Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp, Wilmots has worked hard on building a club-like team spirit, and this has been reflected in a series of far more entertaining performances of late.

Having won 70 caps in 12 years as a player for Belgium, and with experience of playing at Euro 2000, Wilmots won’t be fazed by the occasion. However, after fluffing his lines at the last World Cup, this may be his last chance to prove he can cut it as a manager at the highest level.

Prediction – Semi-finalists

There are defensive concerns, but as long as Belgium escape from a tough-looking group, they have the potential to go deep in the competition. A possible quarter-final meeting with Germany is on the cards, but even if they win that clash, I can’t see them beating France in the last four.

About the author:

Former Arsenal midfielder Adrian Clarke, who now writes for TODAY and a number of major football websites, is our resident

analyst for Euro 2016. Follow him @adrianjclarke