MY ACCOUNT
Belgium may be top of FIFA’s world rankings but they will face a tough test in Cardiff tonight.
The Group E leaders take on an in-form Wales side who need a point to ensure they have a shot at securing seeded status in the play-offs.
Rob Page’s Dragons romped to a 5-1 win over Belarus in their last outing to extend their unbeaten run to six matches — scoring 11 goals and conceding just five times across those fixtures.
In the other camp, Belgium may have cantered to a 3-1 win over Estonia to make it six wins from seven qualifying games on Saturday but all is not well for Roberto Martinez’s side.
Here is why Wales have the players to cause the Red Devils plenty of problems this evening.
Defensive woes
A complaint directed at Martinez and his Belgium outfit is that they are not making enough of their loaded attack.
However, in recent matches they have been unshackled — committing men forward to really impose themselves on the opposition.
As a result, the team has lost its balance and their defence has been exposed too frequently.
Estonia netted three times against Belgium across two matches, while Italy and France combined to score five in two Nations League encounters.
In fact, Belgium took a 2-0 lead against France only to lose after conceding three goals in the second half.
These holes can be exploited by the home side tonight, especially with Thibaut Courtois joining Eden Hazard in returning to Real Madrid after sealing qualification.
Playing with confidence
Neco Williams is flying under the radar this season.
He was named man of the match for Liverpool in their Carabao Cup win over Preston, and also came off the bench against Watford to assist Roberto Firmino’s hat-trick goal.
The 20-year-old was the standout performer in Wales’ win over Belarus, with Dragons boss Page pondering whether he should move away from Anfield in search of first-team football.
He said: “Neco was outstanding tonight. It is just a shame he is not playing in the Premier League.
“He’s at a top, top club with top, top players and he can’t get in the team but when he plays like that, you know, we have got to get him playing.”
If Belgium opt to start Timothy Castagne at right centre-back again, Williams could have plenty of joy playing on the left, especially in this sort of form.
Shots, shots, shots
Wales are a smart football team.
Despite being superior to Belarus, they did not get complacent with their approach in the final third.
It is easy to lose focus and start taking shots from all over the place when you know that you are the better side — but that was not the case at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Wales continuously looked to work the ball into the penalty area before unleashing an effort.
A lot of their shots came from high-value areas and the Dragons’ five goals did not flatter them. It was a true reflection of how dominant Page’s men were.
This approach will be vital against Belgium.
With the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Dries Mertens, the visitors are one of the best transitional sides in world football. Waste possession on a regular basis and they will catch you out.
With Wales consistently showing composure and patience, they could nullify Belgium’s greatest threat.
Bale factor
Gareth Bale is a different player entirely when he pulls on the red jersey of Wales.
He was restricted to 45 minutes against Belarus having not long recovered from a hamstring injury.
Page is expected to name the Real Madrid man in his starting XI for the game against Belgium and it is no surprise to hear that he could be the difference-maker — but not in the way that some might expect.
Bale’s game has evolved in recent years. Once an explosive winger with the ability to single-handedly dominate an entire flank, he is now more of a creative menace.
Page has assembled a physical team to lighten the burden placed on Bale and Aaron Ramsey, and it is suiting both players perfectly.
The former Tottenham forward can pick his moments, just as he picks his passes.
Statement performance
Wales are already into the play-offs for the World Cup.
So, beyond wanting to be seeded in the second round, there is far less pressure heading into this match against Belgium.
Knowing they do not need to win can give players a little more freedom and it is during these games that individuals take on more responsibility in a bid to stake a claim to be in Page’s long-term plans.
It is an incentive like no other and a situation that is rare. This could be the perfect storm for the Dragons to pull off a shock.
