Published on: Mar 24, 2021 2:41 pm IST|Updated on: Mar 24, 2021 2:41 pm IST
BEL vs WAL Dream11: Wales travel to Den Dreef to take on Belgium for their opening game of the World Cup qualifiers. Both countries are placed in group E along with Belarus, the Czech Republic and Estonia. The last time these two sides met was in the quarter-finals of the Euros which was a thrilling 3-1 win for Wales despite going down early in the game. Since then, Belgium has reached the semi-finals of the World-Cup and came up short again. They are currently on a 4-game winning streak since losing to England. Wales are doing well for themselves too with 5 wins out of their 7 official games.
Date: 25th March, Thursday Kick-Off: 1:15 am (IST) Venue: King Power at Den Dreef, Belgium
WATCH World Cup Qualifiers Live Stream and Match Score on Hotstar/JioTV in India
Recent Form Belgium: LWWWW Wales: DWDWW
Head-to-Head (last 5 meetings): Belgium – 1 Draw – 2 Wales – 2
Belgium News
Expected Changes and Strategy:
• Roberto Martinez’s side played out an interesting 4-2 win over Denmark and have all their players available from that game. • Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Jason Denayer should start in 3-man defence with Thorgan Hazard and Nacer Chadli on the flanks. • Dries Mertens and Romelu Lukaku should start on either side of striker, Romelu Lukaku.
Belgium Starting XI (likely)
Thibaut Courtois (GK) Toby Alderweireld Jason Denayer Jan Vertonghen Nacer Chadli Leander Dendoncker Youri Tielemans Thorgan Hazard Dries Mertens Kevin De Bruyne Romelu Lukaku
Wales News
• Wayne Hennessey should start in goal ahead of Danny Ward while Ethan Ampadu should start in defence instead of midfield. • Joe Allen will start in midfield alongside Joe Morrell, Connor Roberts and Rhys Morrington-Davies. • Speedsters, Gareth Bale and Daniel James, should start on the flanks with Kieffer Moore playing down the middle.
Wales Starting XI (likely)
Wayne Hennessey (GK) Chris Mepham Joe Rodon Ethan Ampadu Connor Roberts Joe Allen Joe Morrell Rhys Norrington-Davies Gareth Bale Kieffer Moore Daniel James
Fantasy Football Tips
Captain Options
Romelu Lukaku – Lukaku almost missed out on the game due to a Covid-19 scare but is in the running for this game which will come as a relief to the Belgian faithful. He has been in stunning form with 5 goals and 5 assists in his last 6 games for the club. He has also scored 19 goals and provided 8 assists in Serie A this season.
Kevin De Bruyne – The Belgian has been excellent for Manchester City this season with 5 goals and an impressive 11 assists. He has also scored in both his last games for the club, each of which was 2-0 wins including a goal from off the bench against Everton. He has created 81 chances so far as well.
Differential Pick
Kiefer Moore – Kiefer Moore has been having a great season with 17 goal-contributions (16 goals and 1 assist) for Cardiff City so far. He is also an aerial threat with 5 of his goals being headers which will make him one to look out for in the box. Moore has created 21 goal-scoring chances with 38 shots on target and 31 successful dribbles with a success rate of 70%. He has done well for Wales as well with 2 goals in 3 starts in the Nations League and 2 goals and 1 assist in 4 starts during the Euros qualifiers.
Goalkeeper – Hennessey Defenders – Denayer, Vertonghen, Alderweireld Midfielders – De Bruyne (VC), Hazard, Allen, D. James Forwards – Mertens, Lukaku (C), Bale
Likely Winner:
Belgium would be the clear favourites for this game but they always seem to be unsettled against Wales. They have not beaten the Welsh since September 2012 and have lost their last 2 games against them. Both sides are favourites to qualify from the group and this game will set the dynamics of the group. Martinez and Ryan Giggs will hope to start on a strong foot with a win and while Belgium have the quality, Wales have the sense of unpredictability that could upset the odds in the BEL vs WAL Today Match Prediction.