Belgium will face Wales in a UEFA Nations League League A Group 4 match on Thursday evening, needing three points to be in contention for the Finals....CONTINUE READING
In stark contrast, Wales travels to Brussels knowing that only maximum points would suffice if they are to escape relegation to League B in a spectacular finale with Poland.
Under Robert Page, Wales has returned to the World Cup Finals and competed in the Nations League’s top flight.
The Dragons have faced tougher competition in their previous eight games, winning just twice.
Page and his team won over Austria and Ukraine in the World Cup playoffs, but they have only one point from 12 versus Poland, Netherlands, and Belgium.
In both losses to group leaders the Netherlands, Wales lost last-gasp goals, but Brennan Johnson’s 86th-minute equaliser earned a draw.
Belgium’s lone victory since November 2014 came in a 2021 World Cup qualifying match.
The most recent two matches between these teams both ended in 1-1 draws in Cardiff, but the fact that Belgium is still behind the Netherlands in the standings motivates them to make a strong effort to win all three points.
Roberto Martinez’s team has been forced to play catch-up throughout this group stage because they suffered a defeat at home to their adversaries by a score of 4-1 on matchday one.
Despite this, they are likely to be relatively content with the fact that their destiny is still in their own hands because of the manner in which the defeat occurred.
Kevin De Bruyne will return for Belgium after being rested against Poland.
Thibaut Courtois will start in goal, while Dedryck Boyata may play in the back three with Jason Denayer unsigned.
Yannick Carrasco can play left wing-back, but Eden Hazard keeps his position.
Gareth Bale is set to return to the Wales XI, but Page must choose between Kieffer Moore and Johnson.
Neco Williams and Rhys Norrington-Davies might play wing-back if Connor Roberts doesn’t start, enabling Ben Davies to slide into the back three.
Joe Morrell may accompany Matt Smith in the middle without Joe Allen and Aaron Ramsey.
