Wales vs Belgium
World Cup 2022 qualifying is drawing to a close and Belgium have already booked their place in Qatar 12 months from now.
That means there is little onus on them to go to Wales and win on Tuesday night.
The hosts, meanwhile, are already guaranteed a play-off place having won their Nations League group last year.
Will that mean the edge is taken off this contest in Cardiff? Unlikely!
Talking Points
Of course, Wales are still having to navigate competitive matches without their manager, Ryan Giggs, who the Welsh Football Association took out of the firing line earlier this year.
Regardless of the edict of being innocent until proven otherwise, the decision means Robert Page is continuing in caretaker charge and he is doing pretty well.
He guided them to the last 16 of Euro 2020 this summer and knows he can secure them a top-two finish with a point in this one after they saw off Belarus last night.
Wales have only lost one of their past 18 home matches in qualifying for major tournaments, a 1-0 defeat against the Republic of Ireland in October 2017. They have not conceded more than once in any of those 17 games, shipping just seven overall, so this will be no walk in the park for the world’s number one ranked international team.
Of course, for all of Wales’ hopes to reach a first World Cup since 1958 – when they made the quarter-finals – and the fanfare surrounding their inspirational talisman, Gareth Bale, fresh from winning his 100th cap, all the pressure appears to be on Belgium when it comes to major tournaments.
The country’s so-called ‘golden generation’ arguably needs to reach a major final if it is to fulfil its potential, again missing out this summer when a 2-1 quarter-final reverse to Italy begged many of the same questions of manager Roberto Martinez.
It was actually in Wales where Martinez actually first became known to the majority of British football fans when he played for Swansea City.
His most famous moment though was in England when he guided Wigan Athletic to the FA Cup in 2013, famously defeating red hot favourites Manchester City.
Now he needs something to sustain his pedigree at the international level.
With qualification assured, the result of this encounter matters little for him which may just offer Wales their best chance.
After all, the Belgium scrutiny is on hold for now.
History
Since meeting for the first time in 1949, these two nations have been evenly matched.
Indeed, Belgium have six triumphs, the Welsh five wins and there have been a further three draws.
The most famous game of all, however – and the only one outside of international friendlies and qualifying – was fairly 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.
World Cup qualifying highlights have been a regular occurrence for the Belgians and their last meeting with the Welsh resulted in a 3-1 home win in March when Harry Wilson’s early goal was cancelled out by Kevin de Bruyne, Thorgan Hazard and Romelu Lukaku.
Betting Tip
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Wales vs Belgium | 1X2 Draw @ 3.30 |
| November 17, 03:45 (GMT+8) |
The SBOTOP World Cup qualifying betting odds naturally back the visitors.
With Asian Handicap odds, Belgium are available -0.25 @ 1.95 and 1X2 @ 2.24.
Wales, meanwhile, can be backed with Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 1.95 or 1X2 @ 2.86.
If you fancy goals, how about Over 2.50 of them @ 2.12, Total Goal 0-1 @ 2.87. 2-3 @ 1.82 or 4-6 @ 3.80?
If Wales are to lead at the break, there are attractive odds such as First Half 1X2 @ 3.70 and First Half Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 1.66.
In contrast, Belgium are priced First Half 1X2 @ 2.77 or First Half Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 2.28.
As for a re-run of their meeting eight months ago, Correct Score Wales 1-3 Belgium is available @ 18.00, while a repeat of the famous Euro 2016 triumph is on offer @ 38.00.
Likewise, their last meeting on Welsh soil, a 1-0 home win, will pay out @ 9.00.
The fact Belgium have already qualified with a game to spare means there may be a slight drop in their intensity.
That is why I am plumping for honours even with this encounter.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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