Either Wales or Belgium could haul themselves into the driving seat for World Cup qualification from the UEFA Group J with a win in the clash between these two sides in Cardiff on Monday 13th October at 7.45pm BST.
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium to win to nil | 2/1 @ Sky Bet (33.34%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Wales looked toothless in attack against England last time out and they only managed the one goal in their last qualifier against Kazakhstan. Belgium on the other hand will have been disappointed with their goalless draw with North Macedonia, even if that did represent a third consecutive clean sheet for Rudi Garcia’s side. |
| Neco Williams to be carded | 12/5 @ Boylesports (29.4%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Neco Williams was carded in Wales’ 0-3 defeat to England on Thursday evening and he’s been shown no fewer than four yellow cards in his seven Premier League appearances already this season. He could be set to come up against Jeremy Doku, who is one of the most efficient dribblers in European football and took six shots in Belgium’s frustrating draw with North Macedonia last time out. |
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How both teams go into Wales vs Belgium
Group J is very finely poised going into this huge clash at the Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday evening. Given that North Macedonia, the current group leaders, will expect to win their match against Kazakhstan, defeat for either team will leave either side in a very difficult position going into their final two games next month.
As things stand, Risovi top the group with 12 points from their six matches while Wales have collected ten points from their first five games and Belgium are on one point more after five, with a significantly better goal difference than their Monday night opponents.
The Red Devils ran out 4-3 winners in the last meeting between these sides back in June in a thrilling match and that was followed up with back-to-back 6-0 victories in September over Liechtenstein and Kazakhstan.
However, they will have expected to beat North Macedonia in front of the home crowd on Thursday night. The 0-0 draw they played out with Blagoja Milevski’s men leaves them with work to do.
The Dragons have only played one qualifier since that defeat in Brussels, winning 1-0 against Kazakhstan last month. They were beaten comfortably by neighbours England in a friendly on Thursday night and will need to improve on that performance significantly to get anything from this game.
Wales team news
Aaron Ramsey has had to withdraw from this squad after picking up an injury in training. He’ll miss out alongside Leeds United winger Dan James, meaning Craig Bellamy has had to shuffle his pack again somewhat coming into this key clash.
Belgium team news
The main player missing from this Wales squad is midfielder Youri Tielemans who remains injured. Alexis Saelemakers will also miss out having been withdrawn from the squad after picking up an injury in the second half of that draw with North Macedonia.
Wales vs Belgium Head-to-Head
| 24 Mar 2021 | Belgium 3-1 Wales | 3-1 | FIFA World Cup |
| 16 Nov 2021 | Wales 1-1 Belgium | 1-1 | FIFA World Cup |
| 11 Jun 2022 | Wales 1-1 Belgium | 1-1 | UEFA Nations League |
| 22 Sep 2022 | Belgium 2-1 Wales | 2-1 | UEFA Nations League |
| 09 Jun 2025 | Belgium 4-3 Wales | 4-3 | FIFA World Cup |
Conclusion
Wales’ most iconic victory of the modern era was over Belgium in the quarter final of Euro 2016 but they’ll need a similarly rousing performance to overcome the Red Devils again on Monday night. A defeat will leave them with work to do in the final two games of the qualifying period, but they’re set to come up against a defensively solid Belgium looking for a fourth consecutive clean sheet. With the Dragons struggling against England on Thursday night we can foresee another difficult night for them here.
It could be particularly difficult for Neco Williams. The Nottingham Forest full-back has given away 10 fouls in the Premier League and been booked four times, picking up a further booking in the friendly defeat at Wembley on Thursday. He’ll likely be up against Jeremy Doku here, who has averaged more than four completed take-ons per 90 for Manchester City in the Premier League this term.