Prediction and odds for the game: Belgium (3/10) vs Wales (17/2)
We are taking a punt on under 2.5 goals at evens
When: Wednesday 24th March 2021, Kick-off 7:45
Where: The King Power at Den Dreef Stadion
On Wednesday night, Belgium host Wales in Group E of World Cup qualifying, as both teams look to kick-off their campaigns with a win.
Belgium
The Red Devils are not just favourites to win their group, but they also amongst the early favourites to win next years competition. Roberto Martinez’s team is not quite as highly-rated as maybe a few years ago, but they still have a squad full of very good players. Their star man is undoubtedly Inter forward Romelu Lukaku, who is his countries top goalscorer with 57 goals for the Red Devils. The 28-year-old is enjoying a fruitful campaign with Inter, as his goals have helped the Nerazzurri into a strong position to win the Scudetto this season. However, Lukaku could miss out due to COVID-19 at his club.
Belgium have been merciless in World Cup qualifying in recent years, as they head into this clash on the back of a 20-game unbeaten record in qualifying, having recorded an impressive 17 wins. Their firepower has been the key to those qualifying wins, as Belgium have scored at least two goals in their last five World Cup qualifiers. Martinez’s team have also won their previous four international matches, scoring at least two goals in each of the wins.
Wales
Ryan Giggs’ team will fancy their chances of qualifying for next years World Cup, despite Belgium being the obvious favourites to top the group. With the Czech Republic their most likely rivals for a qualification spot alongside Belgium, the Dragons should qualify for Qatar 2022.
The visitors have certainly been hard to beat of late, as they head into this clash on the back of just one defeat in their previous 13 international outings. That run includes a five-game unbeaten run, in which they managed to keep four clean sheets. Those recent clean sheets have contributed to 11 of their last 13 international matches producing under 2.5 goals.
Wales have been difficult to beat of late in World Cup qualifying, as they have lost just once in their last 12 qualifiers. However, that loss was a pivotal 1-0 home defeat by the Republic of Ireland, which cost them a place at World Cup 2018.
The visitors are unbeaten in six away games in qualifying, although they have won just three of their last ten qualifying matches on their travels for World Cups.
Conclusion
Although Wales are hard to beat, we do believe that the Red Devils will have too much quality for the visitors. However, the home win offers little value. We are backing The Red Devils to be winning at half-time at odds of 4/5. The other bet we are recommending is under 2.5 goals at evens, as although Belgium are in string in attack, Wales are highly organised and will not be easy opponents for Martinez’s team.
Verdict: We are backing Belgium to be winning at half-time at odds of 4/5 and/or under 2.5 goals scored at evens. (All odds are taken from Bet365).
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