Match Preview for Wales v Belgium
Group J’s qualification race is heating up, and Monday’s showdown on the Cardiff Metropolis Stadium might be pivotal.
Third-placed Wales welcome second-placed Belgium of their penultimate residence sport of the 2026 World Cup qualifying marketing campaign.
Simply two factors separate the highest three sides – North Macedonia (12 pts), Belgium (11 pts), and Wales (10 pts) – with all three nonetheless in competition for automated qualification.
Each Wales and Belgium even have a sport in hand on the group leaders, including additional significance to this conflict in Cardiff.
The Dragons come into the fixture trying to bounce again from a tricky 3-0 defeat to England on Thursday, a sport that was successfully determined throughout the opening 20 minutes.
Nonetheless, Wales’ residence type stays a serious optimistic. They haven’t misplaced a aggressive match in Cardiff inside 90 minutes since June 2023, profitable six and drawing three in that stretch, together with 4 consecutive residence victories the place they scored 11 objectives in whole.
As for Belgium, Rudi Garcia’s facet had been left annoyed in a goalless draw with North Macedonia on Friday regardless of dominating the competition – recording over three anticipated objectives and firing 20 pictures from contained in the field. It was the primary time in seven matches that the Crimson Devils had failed to attain.
Their 4-3 win over Wales within the reverse fixture again in June was a reminder of their attacking energy, although it required a late strike from Kevin De Bruyne to safe all three factors after surrendering a 3-0 benefit.
Workforce information for Wales v Belgium
Wales boss Craig Bellamy is predicted to maintain religion with many of the facet that began in opposition to England. Karl Darlow will proceed in objective, protected by a again 4 of Neco Williams, Joe Rodon, Ben Davies, and Jay Dasilva.
Ethan Ampadu stays a key determine in midfield, seemingly partnering Liam Cullen on the base. David Brooks and Harry Wilson are set to function in superior roles, supporting striker Kieffer Moore, whereas Brennan Johnson will probably be tasked with offering tempo and creativity from the left flank.
For Belgium, Zeno Debast is predicted to begin in central defence alongside Arthur Theate, with each impressing underneath Garcia’s system. In midfield, Nicolas Raskin and Amadou Onana are set to supply stability and power, releasing Kevin De Bruyne to function additional ahead.
After being benched final outing, Lois Openda might be recalled to guide the road following Belgium’s profligacy in opposition to North Macedonia. Jeremy Doku and Alexis Saelemaekers ought to occupy the vast positions.
Anticipated line-ups for Wales v Belgium
Wales: Darlow; Williams, Rodon, Davies, Dasilva; Ampadu, Cullen; Brooks, Wilson, Johnson; Moore
Belgium: Courtois; Castagne, Debast, Theate, De Cuyper; Raskin, Onana; Saelemaekers, De Bruyne, Doku; Openda
Tips on how to watch Wales v Belgium: TV channel, on-line stream
Followers in the UK can watch the match reside on BBC Sport and iPlayer. It’ll kick-off at 19:45 BST on Monday night.
The stats for Wales v Belgium
- Belgium received the reverse fixture 4–3, with Kevin De Bruyne scoring a late winner
- Wales are unbeaten in 9 straight aggressive residence video games (W6, D3)
- The Dragons have scored 11 objectives of their final 4 matches on the Cardiff Metropolis Stadium
- Wales have conceded seven first-half objectives of their earlier 4 fixtures
- Belgium have did not win any of their final 9 away matches in opposition to UEFA top-20 ranked groups
- The Crimson Devils have scored 17 objectives throughout their final six aggressive outings
- Wales have suffered three defeats of their final 4 video games underneath Bellamy
- Belgium are unbeaten in six matches underneath Rudi Garcia (W4, D2)
- The final three conferences between the perimeters have produced 13 whole objectives
- A win for both staff may ship them prime of Group J, relying on North Macedonia’s consequence
Prediction
Regardless of their patchy away type, Belgium possess an excessive amount of attacking high quality to disregard. Wales’ residence report and combating spirit ought to make this aggressive. Count on an in depth, hard-fought sport with Belgium simply edging it.
Prediction: Wales 1-2 Belgium
