Belgium vs Wales
Given the next World Cup 2022 will start in less than 15 months’ time, it is hard to think that not a single national side in Europe has begun its qualifying campaign.
Yet here we are in late March 2021 and World Cup qualifying highlights only start now with the 55 national teams of Europe gearing into action amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Ten European qualifyings, 75 games in eight days and some teams facing triple-headers in a schedule squeezed by the loss of dates in June because of the postponed Euro 2020.
Madness or a masterstroke, you decide!
Talking Points
With all 10 group winners qualifying directly for the finals and the 10 runners-up advancing to the playoffs -a year from now, the importance of a good start can’t be overestimated.
That is certainly clear in Group E where Belgium entertain Wales on Wednesday night.
Ranked the number one international team in the world, Belgium have a man at the helm who knows plenty about Welsh football.
Roberto Martinez, the former Everton and Wigan boss who has been with Belgium since 2016, began his managerial career in Wales with Swansea City and two members of his backroom staff have worked with him since he retired as a player to take the Swansea job in 2007.
This week he will be without injured midfielders Eden Hazard and Axel Witsel which could pave the way for debuts for Stuttgart man Orel Mangala and Anderlecht’s Albert Sambi Lokonga.
Either way, though, Martinez has a strong squad at his disposal with Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Toby Alderweireld and Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois all included.
There has been a further boost with striker Romelu Lukaku fit tfo play despite a coronavirus scare at his club side Inter Milan.
Belgium come into this game on the back of a 4-2 win over Denmark last November when a second-half brace from Lukaku and goals from Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans and De Bruyne ensured victory.
The country’s so-called ‘golden generation’ arguably needs to reach a major tournament final if it is to fulfil its potential and will have its sights set on this summer’s delayed European Championship too.
So, should Wales prove a genuine hurdle?
Well, their task has been made even harder by fact they are having to navigate this without their manager, Ryan Giggs, who the Welsh Football Association has decided to take out of the firing line while under investigation.
Regardless of the edict of being innocent until proven otherwise, the decision means Robert Page will take the caretaker charge again.
He has named a 31-man squad for their upcoming matches – games against Mexico and the Czech Republic follow this.
Wayne Hennessey and Adam Davies have both returned following lengthy spells on the sidelines due to injury, with Leicester City goalkeeper Danny Ward and Newport County’s Tom King also included.
Charlton Athletic’s Chris Gunter – who is on 99 caps – is among those featured in defence along with Joe Rodon, Liverpool youngster Neco Williams and Swansea City duo Connor Roberts and Ben Cabango.
In a significant boost for the Red Dragons, Joe Allen – who has not played for his country since the 2-0 triumph over Hungary in November 2019 – returns to the international fold after making a full recovery from the Achilles tendon injury that kept him sidelined for nine months last year.
That though sums up the difference between the nations.
While Belgium’s finest ply their trade at leading clubs across Europe, many of Wales’ main men are playing in the lower leagues.
As they prepare for the summer jamboree of Euro 2020, Wales will hope the managerial issue is resolved quickly.
However, with or without Giggs, their chances are limited in Leuven.
History
Since meeting for the first time in 1949, these two nations have been evenly matched.
Indeed, both countries have five wins apiece with a further three draws.
The most famous game of all, however – and the only one outside of international friendlies and qualifying – was the most recent.
It was the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 when unfancied Wales fought back from a goal down to record a memorable 3-1 success over the Belgians in Lille.
On that occasion, Ashley Williams, Hal Robson-Kanu and Sam Vokes sealed what some regard as the greatest moment in Welsh football history.
Their last meeting in Belgium actually came in qualifying for that tournament, a goalless draw in November 2014.
Betting Tip
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Belgium vs Wales | Belgium Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.19 |
| March 25, 03:45 (GMT+8) |
Belgium – who finished third in the World Cup – are overriding favourites with the SBOTOP World Cup qualifying betting odds.
They can be tipped 1X2 @ 1.32 or Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 2.00.
Wales are much further adrift with odds of 1X2 @ 9.25 or Asian Handicap +1.50 @ 1.92.
A re-run of their last meeting on Belgian soil is on offer with correct score 0-0 @ 12.50, whereas if Wales were to win 3-1 again you would be poised to win @ 180.00.
I cannot see past a Belgium win and a comfortable one at that.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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