Belgium are the better team on paper, but they will have a tough task at hand vs Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium on Monday night. Meanwhile, the home side will need to improve on their recent performances to trouble Belgium here.
The Dragons are coming into this game on the back of three defeats from their last four matches in all competitions. On paper, Wales are the weaker side, and it will be interesting to see if the home team can step up and produce a strong performance here.
Meanwhile, Belgium are coming into this game on the back of four wins and two draws from six matches. They will be confident of getting a good result here. The Red Devils are the better team in theory, and they should be able to grind out a positive result here. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Aaron Ramsey and Daniel James are both injured, and they will play no part against Belgium. Other than that, Craig Bellamy has a fully-fit squad to choose from for the latest outings in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers.
Wales will shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Belgium, with Karl Darlow in goal. Neco Williams and Jay Dasilva will start as the full backs. They will look to keep things tight at the back and hit Belgium on the break. Ben Davies will form the central defensive partnership alongside Chris Mepham.
As for the midfield unit, Ethan Ampadu will add physicality and defensive cover alongside Josh Cullen in the middle of the park. Harry Wilson will reprise the no. 10 role. He will look to create opportunities for his teammates and find the back of the net here.
Brennan Johnson and David Brooks will start on the flanks. They will add creativity and unpredictability from the wide areas. Finally, Keiffer Moore will lead the line for Wales vs Belgium on Monday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Darlow; Williams, Mepham, Davies, Dasilva; Cullen, Ampadu; Johnson, Wilson, Brooks; Moore
Star striker Romelu Lukaku and experienced midfielder Youri Tielemans are both unavailable for the away side. Other than that, Roberto Martinez should be able to field their best players on Monday.
Belgium will shape up in a 4-3-3 formation vs Wales, with Thibaut Courtois in goal. Timothy Castagne and Maxim De Cuyper will start as the full-backs. They will add defensive cover and width to the side. Arthur Theate and Zeno Debast will pair up at the heart of the defence.
As for the the midfield unit, Amadou Onana and Hans Vanaken will add defensive cover and control to the side. Kevin De Bruyne will add creativity and flair to the side alongside them in the centre of the pitch.
Leandro Trossard will lead the line for Belgium vs Wales in the absence of Lukaku. Finally, Charles De Ketelaere and Jeremy Doku will start on the flanks. They will look to open up the home side’s defence with pace and flair.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Courtois; Castagne, Debast, Theate, De Cuyper; Vanaken, De Bruyne, Onana; Ketelaere, Trossard, Doku
The Napoli star is our key player to watch out for. He will look to create opportunities with his passing, vision and technique here. Wales have been porous at the back, and the Belgian midfielder has the qualities to expose their vulnerabilities.
It remains to be seen whether De Bruyne can open up chances for his teammates and help Belgium find the back of the net here. Wales will look to shut out the opposition with a defensive approach, and the veteran playmaker could be the one to unlock their defence.
Belgium are the better team, and they have enough depth in the side to grind out a good result here. Wales have struggled at the back in recent games, and they are up against top players here. They are lacking in form and confidence right now.
Belgium are unbeaten in their last six outings, and they will be full of confidence here. They should be able to get the job done. A comfortable away win is on the cards for them. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for Roberto Martinez and his charges.
