BELGIUM – WALES | Thursday 8.45pm
The goals are opposite in Brussels. Hosts Belgium still have very, very little chance of finishing first in League A Group 4 and qualifying for the Final Four at the expense of their Dutch ‘cousins’. It is a different story for Wales, who have to avoid a relegation that, as of today, seems to be a foregone conclusion: Bale and his teammates will need a feat if they are not to find themselves playing in League B in the next Nations League. In short, the stakes are high at the King Baudouin Stadium and there is no doubt it will be a real game.
The selection coached by Roberto Martinez is no longer master of its own destiny. Second on seven points, they have three to make up against the Netherlands, whom they will face on Sunday in Amsterdam on the final day of the group stage. There is still some residual hope, but much will depend on the result of the match between Poland – currently third with four points – and Louis van Gaal’s Tulips. Should they both win, Belgium will then be forced to win at the Cruijff Arena by several goals, as in the first leg, the Netherlands crushed De Bruyne and his teammates 4-1 in a match with no history.
Martinez will not be able to count on Lukaku, but will have De Bruyne back compared to the June challenges. Batshuayi will have space in attack, but Eden Hazard and Carrasco should also play. Only bench, instead, for the two Rossoneri Saelemaekers and De Ketelaere. On the other hand, Wales have no choice but to try to limit the damage after having only obtained one point in four matches, thanks to the home draw with Belgium (1-1). No drama for the Robert Page-led national team, whose primary objective was to snatch a pass to the next World Cup, which they won by beating Austria and Ukraine in the play-offs.
Welshman Johnson’s exultation
The Prediction
Belgium and Wales have also recently faced each other in the Qatar 2022 qualifiers: in March 2021 the Red Devils prevailed 3-1, while the last two matches played in Cardiff have both ended 1-1. Previous fixtures have been evenly balanced, including the British side’s resounding victory at Euro 2016. At home, however, De Bruyne and co. have never lost to Wales and, if we are talking about motivation, there is a good chance Martinez’s side will come out on top again in a one-goal affair, bearing in mind the far from impenetrable Belgian rearguard.
Belgium-Wales likely line-up
- BELGIUM (3-4-3): Courtois; Boyata, Vertonghen, Alderweireld; Castagne, Tielemans, Witsel, Carrasco; De Bruyne, Batshuayi, E. Hazard.
- GALLES (3-4-2-1): Hennessey; Rodon, Ampadu, Davies; N. Williams, Morrell, Smith, Norrington-Davies; James, Bale; Moore.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 3-1
