Euro 2016 Qualifiers: Belgium vs Wales preview

November 15, 2014
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Belgium vs WalesGroup B leaders Wales travel to Stade Roi Baudouin to face Belgium, the favourites for the first place in what should be a very interesting encounter.

Having impressed in the previous qualifying campaign, the Red Devils went to the 2014 World Cup in high spirits, and they did well to make it to the quarter-finals before being eliminated by Argentina.

Belgium started the Euro 2016 qualifiers with a big win over Andorra, before playing out a 1-1 draw with Bosnia in Zenica.

Marc Wilmots’ charges now have a good chance to further improve their chances of reaching the tournament finals and they can be backed at 1.30 (3/10) to defeat Wales.

The interesting thing is that Belgium failed to beat the same opposition in the previous qualifying campaign, but that will be an extra motive for the hosts to win this fixture.

The Red Devils will have to make do without captain Vincent Kompany, who is likely to be replaced by Toby Alderweireld.

Christian Benteke returns after a year-long absence, but it remains to be seen whether he will be preferred to Romelu Lukaku.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Courtois – Vanden Borre, Alderweireld, Lombaerts, Vertonghen – De Bruyne, Witsel, Dembele – Mertens, Lukaku, Hazard.

Wales managed to show some promise in the World Cup qualifiers having been placed in a very strong group, with 1-1 draw in Belgium giving Chris Coleman’s side a perfect platform to build on.

As a result, the Dragons started the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign brightly, defeating Andorra and Cyprus while sharing spoils with Bosnia, hinting they might be able to mount a serious challenge for a place at the tournament finals.

Another clash against star-studded Belgium will be a perfect test to their credentials, with Wales no less than 4.20 (16/5) not to lose in Brussels.

The visitors will be heavily relying on star player Gareth Bale, who has recovered from a buttock injury, and the Real Madrid superstar is 4.80 (19/5) to score anytime.

Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen return having missed the last two qualifiers, but Jonny Williams was forced to withdraw through a groin problem.

Leicester City midfielder Andy King is suspended for the Belgium game, whilst Simon Church and Dave Edwards are out injured.

Probable starting line-up (4-5-1): Hennessey – Hunter, Williams, Chester, Davies – Robson-Kanu, Ramsey, Allen, Ledley, Taylor – Bale.

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