Algeria forward Riyad Mahrez, who plays for Premier League newcomers Leicester City, whips in a left-wing cross which is headed clear by Belgium skipper Vincent Kompany.

Andrew on text: I'm adopting Belgium as my 'second team' at this World Cup after England, as they're the team with the most English based players in their squad after England themselves. A lot of people are tipping them to do very well this summer, I just hope the expectation doesn't negatively affect the players.

Nick from Up-North: Bentaleb is key for Algeria. He looks like a real player with composure beyond his years, but I think his Tottenham team-mate Dembele, and Zenit's Witsel will overpower him in the midfield battle. As such I can't see anything here but a Belgium win to nil.

Algeria's fans are cheering every touch by their heroes, who get an early opportunity to make a breakthrough. The Desert Foxes win a free-kick about 25 yards from goal, but the big Belgian backline clear with a firm forehead.

Mexican referee Marco Rodriguez toots his whistle for the first time today - and, unless I'm sadly mistaken, that means we are off. Game on!

So where's your money going in this game? BBC Sport's very own Mystic Meg - Mark Lawrenson - is going for a 2-0 Belgium win. He's got 10 of the 14 results correct so far you know...

"Belgium have some very good players and they also have match-winners. Algeria will not be lacking technically or tactically but I am not sure they will be able to live with Belgium's power," says Lawro.

France striker Karim Benzema opened his World Cup with a double against Honduras on Sunday and today he wishes Algeria "good luck" via his Facebook page., external The Real Madrid striker was born to French nationals of Algerian descent.

Rob Meech:, external Belgium's squad looks no better than England's. Yet one's a dark horse for the WC and the other is expected to fail. Why?

Chrissy Hunter:, external Looking forward to this, my shout for the underdogs.. Athough france could be the new underdogs.

Ross Heggie:, external Can't wait to see Sofiane Feghouli playing tonight for Algeria. Brilliant player.

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Respective captains Vincent Kompany and Madjid Bougherra exchange cursory glances before striding out the tunnel into a noisy Estadio Mineirao. Plenty of patriotism from the Belgians who, to a man, sing along to their national anthem with their right hands over their hearts.

But their efforts are put to shame by a noisy Algerian anthem as their players and supporters belt out the Qassaman - a ditty written during Algeria's struggle for independence in the 1950s. Stirring stuff.

BBC Sport commentator Dave Woods in Belo Horizonte: "As the Fifa anthem strikes up, Belgian supporters making their voice heard as well. The Algerian supporters are here in numbers and making a right din."

Remarkably, the Red Devils are playing their first World Cup in 12 years after failing to qualify for the past two tournaments. Before that they turned up at six straight finals, reaching the knockout stage on five occasions - including their 1990 last-16 exit against England and an impressive fourth-place finish at Mexico 1986.

"The results of 1986 were very nice but now it is up to us to put aside the history books and write our own," says Red Devils coach Marc Wilmots. "We see this as a challenge and my players are very hungry."

Simon Speake:, external Despite all Belgium's talent, I fancy Russia to top this group. A savvy bunch and very adept at changing their tactics to suit.

Yasin:, external Time to see what Belgium are made of, saying that Algeria are not the highest challenge.

Sumendra:, external The Belgium players deserve the hype. The likes of Kompany,Hazard, Courtois.They have proved their worth for their clubs.

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Belgium: Courtois, Alderweireld, Kompany, Van Buyten, Vertonghen, Witsel, Dembele, Chadli, De Bruyne, Hazard, Lukaku. Subs: Mignolet, Vermaelen, Fellaini, Mirallas, Mertens, Defour, Origi, Lombaerts, Januzaj, Vanden Borre, Ciman, Bossut.

Algeria: M'Bolhi, Halliche, Bougherra, Medjani, Ghoulam, Bentaleb, Mostefa, Taider, Mahrez, Soudani, Feghouli. Subs: Si Mohamed, Belkalem, Mesbah, Yebda, Lacen, Ghilas, Brahimi, Slimani, Cadamuro, Djabou, Mandi, Zemmamouche.

Referee: Marco Rodriguez (Mexico)

But there are also a few recognisable mugs in the Algerian side. Tottenham teenager Nabil Bentaleb becomes the first Algerian teenager to play at a World Cup, while ex-Rangers and Sheffield Wednesday defender Madjid Bougherra captains the side. The burly centre-half holds a final teamtalk as his team-mates huddle around him in the Belo Horizonte tunnel. Almost show time.

Former England defender Danny Mills
BBC Radio 5 live

"Belgium are coming into the unknown, experience is vital. These players are very experienced at club football but this is a bigger stage. There is a lot of pressure, they are expected to win this group and maybe at least get to the quarter-finals. How will they cope with it?"

Image source, Getty Images

Have a scan over this picture of Belgium's starting line-up for their 2014 World Cup qualifier against Serbia - you may recognise a few familiar faces. Look, there's Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany at the right end of the back row. And there's Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen in front of him. Oh, and how could I miss Marouane Fellaini's big bushy mop on the left. Basically, it is a who's who of Premier League football.

More than half of the Red Devils's 23-man squad play in the English top-flight - their tally of 12 Premier League players more than any other World Cup side. Apart from England of course.

Amman:, external The Belgium team not only has a litany of star names but you can just tell they're a team united. Big expectations.

Stuart Robertson:, external I always thought Belgium would be a great shout as an outsider going into the World Cup, think they might surprise some people.

Gary Timms:, external Benteke's absence puts a lot of pressure on Lukaku. If he fires, Belgium will go far. They may struggle if he doesn't.

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BBC World Service's John Bennett ‏on Twitter:, external With the exception of Ivory Coast it's been a depressing World Cup for African teams. Over to Algeria now; can they cause a surprise or two?

Belgium and Algeria won't have the weather to blame if their match turns into a damp squib this afternoon, with good conditions for football expected in Belo Horizonte.

BBC Weather's Alex Deakin reports it will be "dry and sunny, warm but not too oppressive." The temperature is expected to be around 24C.

Watch a full round-up of today's World Cup weather here.

Rather surprisingly Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic has opted to stick Sporting Lisbon striker Islam Slimani on the bench. I say surprising because the man who turns 26 tomorrow bagged five goals in the Desert Foxes' qualifying campaign. Perhaps he might make a late entrance to become Belgium's party pooper.

Ryan from Gloucester on text: I think it is natural a team like Belgium's will be hyped up because it is a young squad, but I think they have a better chance of winning the 2016 European Championship.

Jimmy from Warrington: Belgium have a team of mostly premier league players, so hopefully they don't catch England syndrome. Come on Belgium!